made no comment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'made no comment' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are reporting something someone said or did not say, or when you are describing a situation in which someone refrained from commenting. For example, "The accused made no comment when asked about the incident."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(Barkley made no comment).

The New York Times - Health

The government made no comment.

The New York Times

Sellars, uncharacteristically, made no comment.

The New Yorker

Kovtun made no comment.

The Guardian

He made no comment.

The New York Times

"We made no comment.

The New York Times

They made no comment to reporters outside.

The New York Times

He made no comment about my hat.

The New York Times - Magazine

Government officials made no comment Tuesday.

The New York Times

Mr Callaghan in Cardiff made no comment.

The Guardian

The government has made no comment.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "made no comment" when you want to neutrally report someone's silence or lack of response to a specific question or situation. This phrase is particularly useful in journalistic or formal reporting contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "made no comment" when the context implies agreement or admission of guilt. Silence doesn't always equal consent; ensure the phrasing accurately reflects the situation without adding unintended interpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "made no comment" functions as a reporting verb phrase, indicating a lack of verbal response. It's used to describe a situation where an individual or entity chooses not to provide an opinion, explanation, or statement. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "made no comment" is a common and grammatically correct way to report that someone declined to give a statement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it accurately describes a situation where an individual or entity refrains from providing information or an opinion. Predominantly used in news and media, it maintains a neutral and professional tone. While alternatives like "declined to comment" or "remained silent" exist, "made no comment" is a straightforward and widely understood expression for conveying the absence of a response.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

declined to comment

A formal refusal to give a statement, often used in journalistic contexts.

offered no remarks

Indicates a more formal or deliberate choice not to speak.

was unavailable for comment

Indicates that the person could not be reached or was not willing to speak at the time.

remained silent

Emphasizes the act of staying quiet, often implying refusal to engage.

refused to say anything

Highlights the unwillingness to provide any information or opinion.

did not respond

A neutral way of stating that no answer or reaction was given.

no statement was issued

Focuses on the absence of an official announcement or declaration.

gave no response

Similar to 'did not respond' but can imply a more formal setting.

wouldn't say a word

Emphasizes a strong refusal to speak, suggesting a deliberate choice.

kept mum

An informal way of saying someone stayed silent, often implying secrecy.

FAQs

How can I use "made no comment" in a sentence?

You can use "made no comment" to report that a person or entity declined to give a statement. For example, "The suspect "made no comment" when questioned by the police."

What does it mean when someone "makes no comment"?

When someone "makes no comment", it means they have chosen not to provide any statement or response to a question or situation. It can be a way to avoid taking a position or sharing information.

What can I say instead of "made no comment"?

You can use alternatives like "declined to comment", "remained silent", or "offered no remarks" depending on the level of formality you need.

Is it better to say "no comment" or "made no comment"?

"No comment" is a direct quote of what someone said (or would have said) while ""made no comment"" is a reporting statement. Example: When asked if she was guilty, she replied "No comment"/ She "made no comment" when asked if she was guilty.