is usually silent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is usually silent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or a subject that typically does not make noise or is not vocal. Example: "In many libraries, the atmosphere is usually silent, allowing patrons to focus on their reading."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Heterozygous β-thalassemia is usually silent at the clinical level.

Clinical Biochemistry

NASA's corps of 120 astronauts is usually silent on safety issues.

The New York Times

Early on, she is usually silent, or hanging around in a corner of Jane's tidy kitchen.

The New York Times

That was certainly unusual, as the General Assembly room is usually silent, with barely any applause, during the speeches.

The Washington Post

The weakening of the tendon that leads to this catastrophic sort of injury is usually silent in terms of pain.

The New York Times - Health

Thousands of pious, peaceful Muslims are also locked up.Yet the West is usually silent about Uzbekistan's abuses, seeing Mr Karimov as a useful buttress against Islamist terror on Afghanistan's northern border.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

The cavernous halls of Athens' central civil court are usually silent and sombre.

The Guardian

Braxton was usually silent, but very well worth listening to whenever he did croak. . . .

The New Yorker

Pumas are usually silent, but during this time they emit long, frightening screams intermittently for several hours.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Among reptiles, crocodilians and some turtles produce low-pitched sounds; lizards (except geckos) and snakes are usually silent, except for hissing sounds uttered under stress.

Britannica

They talk occasionally, but are usually silent, focused on the sounds in their headphones, as they drift their devices gently over the dewy ground.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is usually silent" to describe a technical process or medical condition, ensure the context provides sufficient background for clarity. For example, "Chronic kidney disease "is usually silent", making early detection challenging."

Common error

Avoid using "is usually silent" when describing something that is always silent. Using "is silent" is more appropriate in such cases, as "usually" implies there are exceptions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is usually silent" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a subject to describe its typical state of being quiet or non-vocal. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

39%

News & Media

35%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Academia

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is usually silent" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to describe a state of typical quietness or lack of vocalization. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. As evidenced by the examples, this phrase appears in a variety of contexts, ranging from scientific discussions of medical conditions to descriptions of animal behavior in encyclopedias. While generally neutral in register, its specific meaning is shaped by the context. When writing, ensure that the use of "is usually silent" aligns with the intended nuance and that any exceptions to the typical silence are adequately addressed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tends to be quiet

Replaces 'is usually' with 'tends to be', softening the assertion.

is generally quiet

Substitutes 'usually' with 'generally', indicating a common but not invariable state.

is often quiet

Uses 'often' instead of 'usually', suggesting frequent but not constant silence.

is mostly silent

Replaces 'usually' with 'mostly', emphasizing the prevalence of silence.

remains largely unvoiced

Replaces 'silent' with 'unvoiced', making it more formal and specific to vocalization.

typically does not speak

Rephrases the entire expression, focusing on the act of speaking.

generally refrains from speaking

A more formal and emphatic way of saying someone doesn't usually speak.

is habitually quiet

Emphasizes the habitual nature of the silence.

is characteristically silent

Highlights silence as a defining characteristic.

commonly makes no sound

Focuses on the absence of sound, rather than vocalization.

FAQs

How can I use "is usually silent" in a sentence?

You can use "is usually silent" to describe something or someone that typically doesn't make noise or speak. For example, "The observer "is usually silent", only intervening when absolutely necessary."

What are some alternatives to "is usually silent"?

Alternatives include "tends to be quiet", "is generally quiet", or "is often quiet", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "is usually silent"?

Yes, "is usually silent" is grammatically correct and commonly used to describe a typical state of quietness or lack of vocalization.

What's the difference between "is usually silent" and "is always silent"?

"Is usually silent" implies that there are exceptions or occasions when something or someone is not silent, whereas "is always silent" suggests a constant, unchanging state of silence.