commitment to silence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "commitment to silence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a dedication or promise to remain silent or to uphold confidentiality in a particular context. Example: "The organization's commitment to silence regarding sensitive information is crucial for maintaining trust with its clients."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Democracy is not a commitment to silence.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Intel's commitment to science and engineering.

Forbes

Everything that it took for a man like Sisi to rise in revolutionary Egypt — secrecy, silence, and commitment to the system — has also made it impossible for him to enact real change.

The New Yorker

"His conviction makes a mockery of China's professed commitment to social harmony by silencing one of the country's unifying voices and, with it, fellow Uighur writers who are now unlikely to dare speak out".

The Guardian

On Tuesday, 90 Zen teachers signed onto a letter expressing their remorse over the alleged sexual assault and their commitment to alter "the culture of silence" that fosters it.

Huffington Post

MakerBot announced new products back in September after a fairly long stretch of silence, doubling down on its commitment to the educational sector.

TechCrunch

Mr. Speaker, in addition to this moment of silence, let us renew our commitment to treating each other with respect and embracing civility in our public discourse".

Huffington Post

A former aide said the silence raised questions of Mr. Gore's commitment to fighting the good fight.

The New York Times

But far more common are cases in which local governments try to employ psychiatric commitment as a convenient way to silence troublemakers and pests.

The New York Times

Like Avery, who praises the movie house's commitment to celluloid, Baker is interested in texture: of conversation, of silence.

The New Yorker

HuffPost's requests for clarification from the FDA and the OMB were met, respectively, with silence and vague boilerplate about the administration's commitment to food safety.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the connotations of "commitment to silence". It can imply discretion, confidentiality, or, in some cases, suppression of information. Choose the phrase if it aligns with your intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "commitment to silence" when the intended meaning is simply a lack of communication. Ensure the phrase accurately reflects a deliberate choice to withhold information, rather than a mere absence of discussion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "commitment to silence" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes a state of dedication to maintaining silence on a particular matter. As seen in Ludwig, one example is "Democracy is not a commitment to silence."

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "commitment to silence" is a grammatically sound phrase that describes a dedication to withholding information. Ludwig AI analysis indicates it is most commonly found in News & Media contexts. While its frequency is rare, understanding its implications—discretion, confidentiality, or potential suppression—is crucial for appropriate usage. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is appropriate for various registers, from neutral to formal, depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pledge of silence

Replaces "commitment" with "pledge", emphasizing a formal promise to remain silent.

vow of silence

Substitutes "commitment" with "vow", highlighting a solemn and often religious promise.

agreement to remain silent

Replaces "commitment" with "agreement", focusing on a mutual understanding to keep quiet.

promise of confidentiality

Shifts the focus from silence itself to the broader concept of keeping information confidential.

dedication to discretion

Replaces "silence" with "discretion", highlighting carefulness in avoiding causing offense or revealing private information.

assurance of secrecy

Focuses on the guarantee of maintaining secrecy rather than the act of remaining silent.

guarantee of silence

Emphasizes the certainty that silence will be maintained.

pact of silence

Implies a formal or informal agreement to maintain silence, often regarding a shared secret or wrongdoing.

adherence to confidentiality

Highlights the act of sticking to a rule about keeping things private.

obligation to silence

Stresses a duty or requirement to remain silent, often legally or ethically binding.

FAQs

How can I use "commitment to silence" in a sentence?

You can use "commitment to silence" to describe an agreement, promise, or policy to not disclose certain information. For example, "The company has a strong "commitment to silence" regarding client data."

What does "commitment to silence" imply?

A "commitment to silence" suggests a deliberate and often formal agreement to withhold information. It can imply discretion, confidentiality, or, depending on the context, even a suppression of information.

What are some alternatives to "commitment to silence"?

Alternatives include "pledge of silence", "vow of silence", or "promise of confidentiality" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "commitment to silence" the same as "agreement to silence"?

While similar, "commitment to silence" emphasizes dedication and intention, whereas "agreement to silence" focuses on a mutual understanding. The best choice depends on the specific context.