been oddly quiet

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "been oddly quiet" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing surprise about someone's silence or lack of activity in a given situation. For example, "I haven't heard any updates about the project in weeks - the team has been oddly quiet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Some have been oddly quiet.

The Guardian - Opinion

Yet it's been oddly quiet on the Ethier rumor front.

Los Angeles Times

Trump has been oddly quiet on Twitter about the U.S.'s Olympic medal winners.

Huffington Post

Human rights defenders who have long championed basic freedoms and who have endured great personal sacrifices to further their ideals have been oddly quiet about the recent waves of anti-Muslim attacks.

Huffington Post

His argument was that the report, which criticises both the Coalition and Labor governments for their aproaches (in case you're wondering why Labor has been oddly quiet on this issue), was political due to its timing.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

It is oddly quiet.

The New York Times

It was oddly quiet outside.

The New Yorker

But the room itself is oddly quiet.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Big business, which lobbied heavily for previous rounds, is oddly quiet this time.

The Economist

CHICAGO — On the final day of the NATO summit meeting here, Chicago was oddly quiet.

The New York Times

It was oddly quiet on the streets by the Calderón and quiet inside too.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "been oddly quiet" when you want to express surprise or mild concern about someone's unusual silence or inactivity. This phrase often implies that the silence is noticeable and perhaps a bit unexpected.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "been oddly quiet" can sound informal in academic or business writing. Consider using a more formal alternative like "remained unusually reserved" or "maintained an atypical silence" in professional settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "been oddly quiet" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, typically describing a state of being. It indicates a deviation from a normal state of activity or speech. As Ludwig AI notes, this phrase is suitable for expressing surprise regarding someone's silence.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "been oddly quiet" is a grammatically correct and usable expression indicating that someone or something has been unusually silent or inactive. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriateness for expressing surprise or mild concern. While its register is generally neutral, it appears most frequently in news and media contexts. For more formal settings, consider alternatives like "remained unusually reserved" or "maintained an atypical silence".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

been unusually silent

Replaces "oddly" with "unusually", indicating a deviation from the norm in terms of silence.

been strangely silent

Substitutes "oddly" with "strangely", suggesting the silence is peculiar and raises questions.

been surprisingly quiet

Replaces "oddly" with "surprisingly", highlighting the unexpected nature of the silence.

been conspicuously absent

Shifts the focus from silence to absence, implying a noticeable lack of presence or participation.

maintained an unusual silence

Changes the structure to emphasize the act of keeping silent, rather than a state of being.

been remarkably reserved

Indicates a restraint in communication, suggesting holding back rather than mere silence.

been atypically subdued

Focuses on a lack of energy or enthusiasm, implying a quieter demeanor than usual.

been unexpectedly taciturn

Uses a more formal term, "taciturn", to describe a tendency to say little.

remained uncharacteristically reticent

Emphasizes reluctance to speak, using the term "reticent" to suggest a withholding of information.

shown an atypical quietness

Highlights the quality of quietness as being different from what is typical.

FAQs

What does "been oddly quiet" mean?

The phrase "been oddly quiet" means that someone or something has been more silent or inactive than usual, in a way that is noticeable or surprising.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "been oddly quiet"?

It's appropriate to use "been oddly quiet" when you want to express surprise or mild concern about someone's unusual silence or inactivity. It suggests that the silence is noticeable and perhaps a bit unexpected.

What can I say instead of "been oddly quiet"?

You can use alternatives like "been unusually silent", "been strangely silent", or "been conspicuously absent" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "been oddly quiet" grammatically correct?

Yes, "been oddly quiet" is grammatically correct. It follows standard English grammar rules for verb tense and adverb usage.