keep my silence

USAGE SUMMARY

"keep my silence" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is usually used to refer to the act of not speaking up about something, either due to being asked to be silent or as a personal choice. For example, "After hearing the news, I chose to keep my silence and reflect on the situation before responding."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"I prefer to keep my silence.

The Guardian

"I walked up the steps that day and the nun came out and said your name is changed, you are Fidelma, I went in and I was told I had to keep my silence," she said.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"I've kept my silence during the course of it, hoping it was resolved.

BBC

I kept my silence and the shimmering magnificence dwindled to nothing after a wonderful 10-minute display.

BBC

In the battle between my need to fill the holes in my family story and my duty to keep the silence, duty usually prevailed.

The New York Times

I try to talk to keep things chummy because my silence, once the sign of my interiority, is now at best a sulk, at worst a seethe, Ahmad, Amit, Rahimi, him me, me with no way now to bare my true face veiled beneath his beard.

The New Yorker

And there were wild racings and slides across the floor as people kept regrouping in "Enter My Silence".

The New York Times - Arts

By Miriam Vedder The New Yorker, November 28 , 1931 P. 27Then keep your silence.

The New Yorker

The New Yorker, November 28 , 1931 P. 27Then keep your silence.

The New Yorker

At the time, the Mondale campaign chose to keep its silence about the gaffe.

The New Yorker

If you keep your silence, after a while it will destroy you".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "keep my silence", consider the context: is it a personal decision, a response to external pressure, or a strategic choice?

Common error

Avoid using "keep my silence" when a more active form of discretion is required. Sometimes, actively advocating for change is more effective than remaining silent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep my silence" functions as a verb phrase indicating a deliberate decision to abstain from speaking or revealing information. Ludwig provides examples where this phrase is used in contexts of personal choice and strategic withholding of information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "keep my silence" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, as affirmed by Ludwig. It signifies a conscious decision to abstain from speaking, often for strategic or personal reasons. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, this phrase carries a neutral register. When choosing between "keep my silence" and alternatives like "remain silent", consider the context and the desired emphasis: a deliberate choice or a state of being. Ludwig's examples illustrate the phrase's use across diverse situations, reinforcing its versatility and relevance in modern English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remain silent

Emphasizes the state of being quiet without necessarily implying a deliberate choice.

stay quiet

Similar to 'remain silent' but can also suggest avoiding making noise.

hold my tongue

Highlights the effort of restraining oneself from speaking, often when provoked.

refrain from speaking

A more formal way of expressing the decision not to speak.

keep mum

An informal, almost secretive way of saying to keep something confidential.

not say a word

Emphasizes the complete absence of verbal communication.

clam up

Suggests a sudden and often unwilling cessation of speech.

bite my lip

Conveys suppressing an emotional or reactionary response verbally.

swallow my words

Indicates suppressing words that one intended to say.

stonewall

Implies deliberately obstructing conversation or providing information.

FAQs

How can I use "keep my silence" in a sentence?

You can use "keep my silence" to describe a decision not to speak about something. For instance, "I decided to keep my silence during the argument to avoid escalating the situation."

What's the difference between "remain silent" and "keep my silence"?

"Remain silent" generally refers to the state of being quiet, while "keep my silence" implies a conscious decision to not speak.

When is it appropriate to "keep my silence"?

It's appropriate to "keep my silence" when speaking might cause harm, violate a confidence, or be unproductive. Consider whether your words will improve the situation or make it worse.

Are there situations where I should not "keep my silence"?

Yes. If you witness injustice, have information that could prevent harm, or are being asked to conceal wrongdoing, it is often more ethical to speak up rather than "keep my silence".