maintain silence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "maintain silence" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to suggest that someone should not say anything. For example, "It is important to maintain silence during a test so that no one is distracted."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

Does it follow, though, that divorce must maintain silence?

The New York Times - Magazine

Until recently, it suited both to maintain silence, with Fifa caught in the middle and floundering.

The Guardian

After acknowledging his finger-to-lip warning that we maintain silence, I climbed the ladder behind him.

The New Yorker

They say it could be used to maintain silence in public libraries and to "facilitate discussion" in group meetings.

MIT Technology Review

A hide near the main lodge carried the message, "Please maintain silence" and as a few of us looked through the peepholes, a Cape buffalo grazed.

The New York Times - Sports

They are not heroes - not, at least, if heroes are people who rescue children from burning buildings, maintain silence under torture or die for their beliefs.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

We show that PRG-1 is required to initiate, but not to maintain, silencing of transgenes engineered to contain complementarity to endogenous 21U-RNAs.

Cell

It has been postulated that the role of DMR0 methylation is to maintain silencing on the maternal IGF2 allele.

Plosone

Mecp2 has previously been shown to maintain silencing of Bdnf, the gene encoding an Ntrk2 ligand [17], [43].

Plosone

PRG-1 was required to initiate, but not to maintain, silencing of the reporter.

Briefings in Functional Genomics

PcG/H3K27me3 interact with DNMTs [ 60, 61], and together they establish and maintain silencing of PcG target genes [ 62].

Breast Cancer Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "maintain silence" when you want to emphasize the act of preserving a state of quiet, especially in situations where noise is expected or undesirable. For example, during a performance or examination.

Common error

Avoid using "maintain silence" in casual conversations where a simpler phrase like "be quiet" or "stay silent" would be more appropriate. "Maintain silence" is more suited for formal settings and written communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "maintain silence" functions as a directive or an instruction, urging individuals to refrain from speaking. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and suitable for formal contexts. It often appears in signs or announcements requesting quiet.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "maintain silence" is a common and grammatically sound way to instruct or advise someone to remain quiet. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and appropriate in a variety of contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media, Wiki, and Science sources, its register leans toward neutral to formal. It is often employed to ensure order and prevent disruptions, with alternatives such as "remain quiet" or "keep silent" offering similar meanings. Remember to consider the level of formality when using this phrase, reserving it for situations where a degree of seriousness or order is desired. While perfectly valid, avoid overusing the expression in informal settings as it may sound unnatural.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remain quiet

Focuses on the state of being quiet rather than the act of preserving it.

keep silent

Emphasizes the act of choosing to be silent.

hold one's tongue

An idiomatic expression indicating restraint in speaking.

refrain from speaking

A more formal way of expressing the avoidance of speech.

observe silence

Implies a more deliberate and intentional act of being silent, often for a specific purpose.

say nothing

A direct and simple way of indicating a lack of verbal communication.

not utter a word

Highlights the complete absence of spoken words.

mum's the word

An informal phrase indicating a promise to keep something secret.

clam up

Suggests a sudden and often reluctant cessation of speech.

button one's lip

Informal phrase implying a conscious decision to stop talking about a sensitive topic.

FAQs

How can I use "maintain silence" in a sentence?

You can use "maintain silence" to instruct someone to remain quiet, such as: "The sign read, 'Please "maintain silence" during the performance'".

What are some alternatives to "maintain silence"?

Alternatives to "maintain silence" include "remain quiet", "keep silent", or "observe silence", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "maintains silence"?

Yes, "maintains silence" is correct when referring to a person or entity that consistently remains quiet. For example, "The government "maintains silence" on the issue".

What is the difference between "maintain silence" and "preserve silence"?

"Maintain silence" implies continuing a current state of quiet, while "preserve silence" suggests protecting an existing quiet from being disrupted. The phrase "preserve silence" indicates avoiding something that could break the quietness.