in the face of silence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in the face of silence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone is confronted with silence, often implying a need to respond or act despite the lack of communication or feedback. Example: "In the face of silence, she decided to speak up and share her thoughts on the matter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Clifton's poems are committed to truth-telling in the face of silence.

The New Yorker

Fearlessness in the face of silence.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

When Mr. Mandela was hospitalized last year, there was fevered speculation in the news media in the face of virtual silence from the government.

The New York Times

As I expected, in the face of their silence, the story gained currency outside the Mail, being taken up by other journalists (examples: here and here and here).

The Guardian

It features me 20 years ago, performing poor material, in a nervous breathy voice while giggling at my own ideas in the face of deathly silence from the crowd.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Black Lives Matter takes action in the face of Whites' silence, complacency and dismissiveness.

Huffington Post

It's social shorthand for "who are you?" a convenient fall-back in the face of awkward silence or prolonged mingling; polite, simple, safe chit-chat.

Huffington Post

Browner's adamant defense in favor of the new standards was conducted almost single-handedly, in private meetings, Congressional testimony, and public debate, and had come in the face of a silence from the White House that had put at risk her standing within the administration.

Wikipedia

Then, in the face of an unbroken silence from above, he admitted defeat.

The New Yorker

In the face of such hazard, silence simply is not an option.

Huffington Post

In the meantime, and in the face of the firm's silence, we contacted your bank/card provider, Nationwide, which had agreed to push through a chargeback- to enable you to try to get your £85 back.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in the face of silence" when you want to emphasize the act of confronting or acting despite the lack of response or communication. It adds a sense of defiance or determination.

Common error

Avoid using "in the face of silence" when describing situations with positive outcomes directly resulting from the silence. The phrase implies overcoming an obstacle, so it's less appropriate if the silence is beneficial.

Linguistic Context

Adverbial prepositional phrase. The phrase "in the face of silence" functions as an adverbial, modifying a verb by indicating the circumstances under which an action occurs. It describes the condition of acting despite or confronted by silence. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in sentences committed to truth-telling.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in the face of silence" is a grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to describe actions taken despite a lack of communication or response. Ludwig AI validates the usability of the phrase. It implies a sense of defiance or persistence, emphasizing the challenging nature of the situation. While it is versatile, it is most commonly found in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the silence is indeed an obstacle being overcome, rather than a beneficial condition. Alternatives such as "despite the silence" or "confronted with silence" may offer subtle differences in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

despite the silence

Replaces the prepositional phrase with a simpler preposition, focusing on the contrast.

in spite of the silence

Similar to 'despite', this emphasizes overcoming the obstacle of silence.

confronted with silence

Highlights the act of being faced with silence, emphasizing the direct encounter.

notwithstanding the silence

A more formal way of saying 'despite', suitable for academic or legal contexts.

given the silence

Acknowledges the silence as a condition or premise for the subsequent action.

even with the silence

Suggests that the action is taken alongside or considering the silence.

in the absence of communication

Replaces 'silence' with a more descriptive phrase, emphasizing the lack of interaction.

in light of the silence

Indicates that the silence is considered when making a decision or taking action.

against a backdrop of silence

Presents silence as a background against which action occurs.

before the silence

Implies that the action anticipates or precedes the silence.

FAQs

How can I use "in the face of silence" in a sentence?

You can use "in the face of silence" to describe someone acting or speaking despite a lack of response or communication. For instance, "In the face of silence, she decided to voice her concerns."

What are some alternatives to "in the face of silence"?

Alternatives include "despite the silence", "confronted with silence", or "in spite of the silence". The best choice depends on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "in the face of silence" or should it be "in face of silence"?

The correct phrase is "in the face of silence". The article 'the' is essential for proper grammatical structure and meaning.

When is it appropriate to use "in the face of silence"?

It's suitable when describing situations where someone or something acts or persists even though there's no response or communication, implying a challenge or obstacle.