has fallen silent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has fallen silent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone or something has stopped making noise or has become quiet, often after a period of activity or sound. Example: "After the heated debate, the room has fallen silent, leaving only the sound of shuffling papers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Ms Beale has fallen silent.

Independent

Today his voice has fallen silent.

The Guardian

But the governor has fallen silent.

The New York Times

The Central American has fallen silent; Sollers is mechanically flipping through a British magazine.

The New Yorker

"The last voice with direct experience of combat in the trenches of the First World War has fallen silent".

The New York Times

One feels the world turning more swiftly, and knows that a special voice has fallen silent forever.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

Even Commander Chauhan had fallen silent.

The New Yorker

The looms have fallen silent.

The Guardian

The World Trade Center had fallen silent.

The New York Times

These crusaders have fallen silent in government.

The Guardian - Business

The card players have fallen silent.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has fallen silent" to create a sense of drama or to emphasize a significant change in a situation, particularly when something or someone that was previously active or vocal is now quiet. For instance, "After the announcement, the room has fallen silent".

Common error

Avoid using "has fallen silent" when you simply mean something is not present. "The radio has fallen silent" is incorrect if the radio was never on. Instead, say "The radio is off" or "There's no sound from the radio".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has fallen silent" functions as a verbal phrase indicating a completed action resulting in a state of quietness. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. The phrase describes a transition from a state of noise or activity to one of silence.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has fallen silent" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe a transition to a state of quietness or inactivity. Ludwig AI confirms this. It's frequently found in news and media, conveying a sense of change, cessation, or finality. While versatile, it's crucial to use it accurately, ensuring a prior state of sound or activity existed. Consider alternatives like "has become quiet" for nuanced contexts. Overall, this phrase is effective for adding drama and highlighting significant changes in auditory or communicative states.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has become quiet

Focuses on the transition to a state of quietness.

is now silent

Emphasizes the current state of being silent.

has gone quiet

Similar to 'has become quiet', implying a change to a quieter state.

is no longer speaking

Specifically refers to the cessation of speaking.

has ceased talking

Highlights the termination of speech.

has stopped communicating

Broader term encompassing all forms of communication.

is not making a sound

Emphasizes the absence of any sound.

has gone mute

Indicates a complete absence of speech, often suggesting a more permanent state.

is unavailable

Suggests a temporary absence or inability to communicate.

has become inactive

Broader term implying a cessation of activity, not just speech.

FAQs

What does it mean when something "has fallen silent"?

It typically means that something or someone that was previously making noise, speaking, or active has suddenly stopped. It often implies a significant change or a notable absence of sound or communication.

What can I say instead of "has fallen silent"?

You can use alternatives like "has become quiet", "is now silent", or "has gone quiet" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "has fallen silent" in writing?

It's appropriate when describing a noticeable change from a state of activity or noise to one of quietness or inactivity. For example, describing a crowd that was cheering loudly and then "has fallen silent" after an unexpected event.

Is "has fallen silent" interchangeable with "has been silent"?

Not always. "Has fallen silent" implies a change of state, while "has been silent" suggests a continuous state of silence. For example, "The project has been silent for months" indicates continuous inactivity, whereas "The project has fallen silent after the funding was cut" suggests a change.