grow silent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "grow silent" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which people become quiet or stop talking. For example, "When the teacher entered the room, the students grew silent."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

This is always my move, if I can get away with it, to grow silent and silenter, and hum through all of the mansplaining and subsequent girlsplains to connect to what I actually think about it without the howling directives of one million faster-faster-faster online essays.

Vice

Most restaurants close at midnight, when Whitestone's streets grow silent.

The New York Times

When the television news comes on, people grow silent and look up from what they're doing.

The New Yorker

Or, maybe worse, do you grow silent, declining to talk to your partners and casting a brooding pall over the entire group?

The New York Times

But when asked how Mr. Obama would sell the idea to America's allies — primarily Pakistan, India and Israel — administration officials grow silent.

The New York Times

Let them feel the crowd grow silent, let them stare down the whites of the middle linebacker's eyes as his tense body waits for the snap so he can explode with 260 pounds of power.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "grow silent" to describe a gradual process of becoming quiet, often in response to a specific event or realization. It can add a sense of tension or anticipation to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "grow silent" when you mean a sudden, immediate silence. Phrases like "fall silent" or "become quiet instantly" are more appropriate in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grow silent" functions as a verb phrase, where "grow" acts as a linking verb connecting the subject to the adjective "silent". This describes a process of becoming quiet, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Academia

5%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "grow silent" is a grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe the gradual process of becoming quiet. According to Ludwig, the phrase appears most frequently in News & Media contexts and carries a neutral to formal register. While synonymous with phrases like "become quiet" and "fall silent", "grow silent" emphasizes the transition into silence, rather than a sudden state. This makes it a valuable tool for writers looking to add depth and nuance to their descriptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

go quiet

A more informal way to express becoming silent.

become quiet

Focuses on the state of being quiet, rather than the process of becoming so.

fall silent

Implies a sudden or abrupt transition to silence.

lapse into silence

Suggests a gradual and perhaps unintentional shift into silence.

become mute

Implies an inability or unwillingness to speak, often due to shock or fear.

cease talking

Directly states the act of stopping conversation.

quiet down

Suggests a reduction in noise, not necessarily complete silence.

hush

A more emphatic and immediate form of silencing.

clam up

Implies a sudden refusal to speak, often due to nervousness or defensiveness.

become still

Broader than just ceasing to speak, implies a complete lack of motion or sound.

FAQs

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

You can use "grow silent" to describe a gradual process of becoming quiet. For instance, "The audience began to "grow silent" as the speaker approached the podium".

What's a synonym for "grow silent"?

Alternatives include "become quiet", "fall silent", or "lapse into silence", each carrying a slightly different nuance regarding the speed and intention behind the silence.

Is it more formal to say "grow silent" or "go quiet"?

"Grow silent" is generally considered more formal than "go quiet". The former is more commonly found in written text, while the latter is frequently used in spoken English.

What does it mean when someone "grows silent"?

When someone "grows silent", it typically means they gradually stop talking, often implying a shift in mood or a moment of reflection. It can also suggest a reluctance to continue speaking.