eloquent silence

USAGE SUMMARY

"eloquent silence" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe a silence that conveys more meaning than words can. For example, "As she listened to the news, her eloquent silence spoke volumes about how she felt."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Finished or not, there is strength in the emptiness and eloquent silence of "Eatons Neck".

The New York Times

He praises the eloquent silence of the war hounds who fell mute after the invasion (though perhaps insufficient homage is paid to the eloquent silence of a hundred thousand dead Iraqis), but, though chastened, he's still talking.

The New Yorker

The clipped endings of the repeated command "Hear and answer" reverberated through the Borden Auditorium before fading to eloquent silence.

The New York Times - Arts

The Duc de La Rochefoucauld distinguished between an "eloquent" silence, a "mocking" silence and a "respectful" silence.

The Economist

There are long scenes of moody, eloquent silence in their hotel room, in which Jolie retreats into depression and Pitt gets picturesquely drunk at a neighbourhood bar.

The Guardian - Film

He is the master of the eloquent silence; of allowing there to be, as Archibald Macleish once wrote to the man himself: "Ten things 'said' for every word written.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Particularly noteworthy are Mr. Haroun's eloquent silences, visual and aural.

The New York Times

On Kawara creates his own memorial every day, in the eloquent silences of his works.

The Guardian - Arts

But most gratifying is Mr. Herreweghe's command of Bruckner's rhetoric: the eloquent silences; the ebb and flow not only of musical sentences and paragraphs but of entire chapters.

The New York Times

But it's a text that knows it will be read by us and that its eloquent silences will beg questions that rabbis, writers, readers, film-makers, all being human, will dive into in search of extrapolation.

The Guardian - Film

Cimino catches emotion in motion, as in the whirling euphoria of a roller-skate dance and the deadly vortex of an encircling cavalry charge, yet these turbulent delights are pierced by arresting points of stillness and eloquent silences, which pack as much dramatic impact in a knowing exchange of glances across a throbbing crowd as in fierce intimate confrontations.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "eloquent silence" to describe situations where unspoken communication carries significant weight, such as in moments of grief, contemplation, or tense interpersonal dynamics. This enhances the emotional depth of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "eloquent silence" excessively in dialogue descriptions. Overusing it can make characters seem passive or undermine the impact of their eventual speech. Instead, vary your descriptions with specific actions or expressions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "eloquent silence" functions as a noun phrase modifier, where "eloquent" modifies the noun "silence". This creates a sense of silence that is not merely an absence of sound, but rather a powerful and meaningful form of communication. As noted by Ludwig AI, it’s considered grammatically correct and understandable in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "eloquent silence" is a powerful descriptor used to convey that silence itself can be a form of communication, often more potent than spoken words. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely understood. Found predominantly in news and media, its use extends to wiki and some scientific contexts, showing its versatility. When using this phrase, remember that it fits best in situations where unspoken emotions or understanding are key, but avoid overuse in dialogue to maintain a natural flow. Exploring related phrases like "meaningful pause" or "telling stillness" can help vary your language while maintaining the desired impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

telling stillness

Emphasizes the revealing nature of the quiet, using a more descriptive noun.

expressive quiet

Substitutes "silence" with "quiet" and "eloquent" with "expressive", highlighting the communicative quality of the stillness.

meaningful pause

Replaces "silence" with a more general term for a break in speech, emphasizing the significance of the pause.

significant unspoken

Shifts the focus to what is not said, while maintaining the sense of importance.

pregnant pause

This replaces "silence" with "pause" and adds the adjective "pregnant" to convey a sense of anticipation and expectation.

communicative reticence

Replaces "silence" with "reticence", to emphasize the deliberate withholding of speech.

loaded hush

Uses a more evocative word for "silence", implying a weight of emotion or meaning.

revealing omission

Shifts the focus to what is left out and highlights its informative characteristic.

resonant quietude

Replaces both words to focus on the lingering impact of the unspoken message.

articulate non-verbal communication

Replaces "silence" with "non-verbal communication" to explicitly focus on this method and highlights its expressive character.

FAQs

How can "eloquent silence" enhance a story?

Using "eloquent silence" can create tension, reveal unspoken emotions, or emphasize a character's internal state. It allows the reader to interpret the unspoken, adding depth to the narrative.

What are some situations where "eloquent silence" is most effective?

"Eloquent silence" works well in scenes involving grief, understanding, or unresolved conflict. It can also be powerful during moments of revelation or when characters are processing profound information.

Can you replace "eloquent silence" with simpler terms?

While you could use simpler terms like "meaningful pause" or "expressive quiet", "eloquent silence" carries a specific connotation of unspoken communication that resonates deeply. The alternatives are: "meaningful pause" or "expressive quiet".

Is it ever appropriate to avoid using "eloquent silence"?

Yes, if the context requires immediate action or clear communication, emphasizing the absence of words might detract from the scene's urgency. In those cases, focus on active dialogue and quick exchanges.