has been silent

USAGE SUMMARY

'has been silent' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to someone or something that has not said or done anything (in a certain context or in general). For example: The suspect has been silent during the entire interrogation.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But otherwise Mr Ma has been silent.

The Economist

Mr. bin Laden has been silent.

The New York Times

It has been silent ever since.

The New Yorker

Instead, he has been silent.

The Washington Post

Mike Pence has been silent.

The New Yorker

So far, Washington has been silent.

The New York Times

Lately the family has been silent.

The New York Times

Vivendi has been silent on the matter.

The New York Times

But Mr. Obama has been silent.

The New York Times

President Obama has been silent on the issue.

The New York Times

Even his normally active Twitter account has been silent.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context when using "has been silent". It often implies a deliberate choice not to speak or act, which can suggest disapproval, strategic maneuvering, or inability to respond.

Common error

Avoid assuming the reason for silence. While "has been silent" indicates a lack of communication, it doesn't inherently reveal the motive. Ensure the context provides enough clues, or avoid drawing definitive conclusions about the reasons behind the silence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been silent" functions as a present perfect continuous construction, indicating a state of not speaking or communicating that began in the past and continues to the present. This is supported by Ludwig AI's assessment of grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been silent" is a grammatically sound and very common expression used to denote a lack of communication or response. Predominantly found in News & Media, it serves to highlight the absence of statements or actions from a particular subject, often implying a deliberate choice or inability to engage. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in various contexts. When using this phrase, consider the potential interpretations of silence and ensure the context provides sufficient clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has remained quiet

Emphasizes a state of being quiet over a period.

has not spoken

Focuses specifically on the absence of speech.

has offered no comment

Highlights the lack of official statement or opinion.

has made no statement

Similar to 'has offered no comment', but more formal.

has kept mum

An informal way of saying someone has remained silent.

has refrained from speaking

Emphasizes a deliberate choice to not speak.

has not voiced an opinion

Focuses on the absence of expressing a viewpoint.

has failed to address the issue

Highlights the lack of response to a specific problem.

has been unresponsive

Suggests a lack of reaction or communication in general.

has avoided the question

Implies a deliberate evasion of a specific inquiry.

FAQs

What does it mean when someone "has been silent"?

When someone "has been silent", it means they have not spoken or expressed their opinion on a particular matter. It often implies a deliberate choice not to communicate, which could be for various reasons, such as disagreement, strategy, or lack of information.

How to use "has been silent" in a sentence?

You can use "has been silent" to describe someone's lack of communication: "The company "has been silent" regarding the recent allegations." or "Despite the controversy, the politician "has been silent"."

What are some alternatives to "has been silent"?

Alternatives to "has been silent" include "has remained quiet", "has not spoken", or "has offered no comment". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "has been silent" and "remained silent"?

Both phrases indicate a lack of communication, but "remained silent" emphasizes the continuation of silence over a period. "Has been silent" simply states the fact of silence without necessarily implying duration. For example "After the accusations, he "remained silent"" means that the silence continued, differently than "he "has been silent"" which just points out the lack of communication.