excessively quiet

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "excessively quiet" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or person that is unusually or overly silent, often implying that the quietness is notable or concerning. Example: "The room was excessively quiet after the announcement, as everyone processed the shocking news."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

This was for a long time considered excessively quiet and harmless, but recently it has been used to postpone the real hostilities for the middlegame.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"So not excessively excessive.

The New York Times

The Brandy Library in TriBeCa is easy to get into, quiet and almost excessively comfortable.

The New York Times - Food

Vocally, Mr. Harris tends to be a shameless ham who pushes his bright, flashy tenor to excessively histrionic peaks, but in his quieter moments he can be touching.

The New York Times

Peppermint oil ** peppermint oil is quiet strong don't use excessively ** When you feel you've applied enough put a small amount of your regular conditioner in your hair and rub in while you do this add the honey and castor oil mix.

WikiHow

Indeed, the excessively talkative "Stranger" is never stronger than when it has the good sense to be quiet.

The New York Times

Everyone excessively tidy, excessively generous.

The New Yorker

Silly, excessively sober me.

The New York Times - Food

"I was excessively disciplined.

The New York Times - Magazine

Excessively long subtitles.

The Economist

John Major was excessively diabolical.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "excessively quiet" with other descriptive details to enhance its impact. For instance, describe the setting, the characters' reactions, or the events leading up to the silence to create a more vivid and compelling scene.

Common error

Avoid using "excessively quiet" interchangeably with simply "quiet". The 'excessively' adds a layer of intensity, suggesting the silence is beyond the norm and possibly significant. Using it in everyday situations where normal quiet is expected can sound unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "excessively quiet" functions primarily as a descriptive modifier. It combines an adverb of degree ("excessively") with an adjective ("quiet") to intensify the description of a noun, typically a place, situation, or person. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is deemed correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "excessively quiet" is a grammatically correct and usable expression for describing an unusually high degree of silence. Though not frequently used, it effectively emphasizes a notable absence of noise, often creating a specific mood or highlighting an unusual circumstance. According to Ludwig AI, its usage is valid in written English. The phrase is best employed in descriptive writing or situations where the silence itself is a significant element. The most common sources of this term come from news and media outlets.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exceptionally quiet

Stresses that the level of quiet is beyond the usual or expected range, highlighting its unusual nature.

unusually silent

Focuses on the deviation from the expected level of noise, highlighting that the silence is out of the ordinary.

profoundly silent

Emphasizes the depth and intensity of the quiet, suggesting it's a deep, complete silence that fills the space.

intensely quiet

Highlights the powerful or noticeable nature of the silence, making it a dominant feature of the environment.

remarkably still

Emphasizes not just the absence of sound, but also a lack of movement or activity, making the scene very peaceful or even unsettling.

noticeably quiet

Indicates that the silence is easily perceived and stands out from what is normally expected.

unnaturally quiet

Indicates the silence is unusual and perhaps unsettling, suggesting something is amiss.

eerily hushed

Highlights the unsettling or mysterious nature of the silence, suggesting something is wrong or about to happen.

preternaturally quiet

Suggests the silence is beyond what is natural or normal, often implying a supernatural or inexplicable cause.

deathly quiet

Conveys an extreme and often ominous silence, similar to the quiet associated with death or a place where death has occurred.

FAQs

How can I use "excessively quiet" in a sentence?

You can use "excessively quiet" to describe a place, a person, or a situation where the silence is unusually noticeable. For example: "The library was "excessively quiet", making every footstep echo."

What are some alternatives to "excessively quiet"?

Some alternatives include "unusually silent", "remarkably still", or "eerily hushed", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "excessively quiet" and "very quiet"?

"Excessively quiet" implies a degree of silence that is beyond what is expected or normal, often to the point of being unsettling or significant. "Very quiet" simply indicates a high level of silence without the added implication of being unusual or noteworthy.

In what contexts is "excessively quiet" most appropriately used?

"Excessively quiet" is best used in contexts where the silence is a key element of the scene, contributing to the mood or atmosphere. This could be in descriptive writing, suspenseful narratives, or when highlighting an unusual lack of noise.