grew silent

USAGE SUMMARY

"grew silent" is correct and usable in written English.
You use the phrase when someone stops talking, usually because they are listening to someone else, are in shock, or they are feeling emotional. Example sentence: When the teacher asked him to answer the question, the whole classroom grew silent.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The audience grew silent.

The New Yorker

Robert grew silent.

The New Yorker

He grew silent.

The New Yorker

Our group grew silent.

The New York Times - Travel

I grew silent and ashamed.

The New Yorker

The children grew silent.

The New York Times

The room grew silent.

The New York Times

The crowd suddenly grew silent.

Princeton University

'Let's get moving.' " She grew silent.

The New York Times

The publicists looked stricken and grew silent.

The New York Times - Style

Some children looked at his crutch and grew silent.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "grew silent" to depict a gradual transition to silence, often as a reaction to something unexpected or significant.

Common error

Avoid using "grew silent" when describing a state of constant quiet; it implies a change from noise to stillness. Use another word like "was silent" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grew silent" typically functions as a verb phrase within a clause, describing a change of state where someone or something transitions into a state of silence. This is supported by Ludwig AI, which confirms its correct usage. Ludwig examples show various subjects undergoing this transition, such as "the audience", "the room", and "children".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

83%

Academia

5%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "grew silent" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression signifying a transition into a state of quiet. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, and its prevalence across diverse contexts like News & Media and Academia demonstrates its versatility. While closely related to phrases like "became quiet" and "fell silent", it carries a unique nuance of gradual change. When writing, ensure you leverage its strength in depicting shifts from noise to stillness, steering clear of static situations. The phrase is generally appropriate for neutral registers. With its widespread usage and clear meaning, "grew silent" remains a reliable tool for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

became quiet

Focuses on the act of becoming quiet, less emphasis on the reason for the silence.

fell silent

Suggests a sudden onset of silence, often implying a dramatic or unexpected pause.

went quiet

More informal than "grew silent", but still conveys a similar meaning of ceasing to speak.

stopped talking

A direct and simple way to express the cessation of speech.

ceased speaking

A more formal way to say stopped talking. Suggests a deliberate or conscious decision to stop talking.

became mute

Implies a more profound and possibly involuntary silence.

hushed

Describes a situation where something is made silent, rather than becoming silent on its own.

quieted down

Suggests a reduction in noise or activity, leading to a quieter state.

lost their voice

While not literally the same, this phrase can convey a metaphorical silence resulting from emotional shock or inability to speak.

clammed up

Suggests a reluctance to speak, possibly due to nervousness or secrecy.

FAQs

How can I use "grew silent" in a sentence?

You can use "grew silent" to describe a gradual shift to silence, as in, "The audience "grew silent" as the speaker began." It is important to consider the gradual change of state.

What's the difference between "grew silent" and "fell silent"?

"Grew silent" suggests a gradual transition to quiet, while "fell silent" implies a more sudden onset of silence.

Is "grew silent" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, ""grew silent"" is suitable for formal writing, especially when describing a noticeable change from noise to quiet. However, it's crucial to consider the tone of your writing to see if a more descriptive synonym is required.

What are some synonyms for "grew silent"?

Synonyms for "grew silent" include "became quiet", "went quiet", and "stopped talking", each conveying slightly different nuances.