maintained silence

USAGE SUMMARY

"maintained silence" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it in contexts where someone deliberately chooses not to speak or respond. Example: "During the meeting, she maintained silence, allowing others to express their opinions." Alternative expressions include "remained silent" and "kept quiet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

"They huddled together and they maintained silence," she said.

The New York Times

As a club, Madrid were – somewhat unusually – cautious, the director general, Jorge Valdano, has appealed for calm and backed his coach, while Pérez maintained silence.

The Guardian - Sport

In charge of the group were a colonel, a major, and, after they reached the airstrip, Captain Vorst himself, who maintained silence toward Eriksson.

The New Yorker

There are very few published personal accounts for them to consult, since for decades, indeed for centuries, women have generally maintained silence about the silent killer.

The Guardian

Instead, his representatives, Aaron and Eric Goodwin, quietly met with General Manager Sam Presti when the free-agency period opened and maintained silence until Wednesday.

The New York Times - Sports

The Jets fired their general manager, Mike Tannenbaum, but have maintained silence about the status of their embattled offensive coordinator, Tony Sparano.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

In contrast, however, at both ΔL5chr2EH and ΔL5chr3EH, cultures derived from cells repressing the ade6 + reporter gene initially maintained silencing despite removal of the L5 heterochromatin-nucleating sequence.

Genetics

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

They mostly declined interviews, maintaining silence when asked about their objectives.

The New York Times

While the government is maintaining silence, Mr. Bashabsheh is anything but quiet.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "maintained silence" when you want to emphasize a deliberate and sustained choice not to speak or provide information over a period of time.

Common error

Avoid using "maintained silence" when the silence is due to an inability to speak (e.g. being unconscious) rather than a conscious choice. Use a phrase like "remained silent" or "was silent" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "maintained silence" functions as a verb phrase acting as the predicate in a clause. It describes the action of deliberately choosing not to speak. As Ludwig AI shows, this expression is used across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Wiki

26%

Science

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "maintained silence" signifies a deliberate and sustained choice not to speak. Ludwig AI confirms that this expression is grammatically sound and commonly used, predominantly in news and media, as well as encyclopedic and scientific contexts. While alternatives like "remained silent" and "kept quiet" exist, "maintained silence" emphasizes the sustained and intentional nature of the silence. When using this phrase, ensure that the context involves a conscious decision not to speak, rather than an inability to do so.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remained silent

Focuses on the state of being silent, similar to "maintained silence".

kept quiet

Emphasizes the act of not speaking or making noise.

refrained from speaking

Highlights the conscious effort to avoid speaking.

held their tongue

An idiomatic expression for choosing not to speak.

offered no comment

Used when someone declines to provide an official statement.

declined to answer

Highlights the refusal to respond to a question.

stayed mum

Informal term for remaining silent, often about a secret.

gave no response

Emphasizes the absence of any reaction or reply.

preserved confidentiality

Highlights the deliberate preservation of a private statement.

observed silence

Stresses the action of keeping quiet.

FAQs

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

You can use "maintained silence" to describe a deliberate choice not to speak. For example: "The suspect "maintained silence" throughout the interrogation."

What's a good alternative to "maintained silence"?

Alternatives include "remained silent", "kept quiet", or "refrained from speaking", depending on the context.

Is "maintained silence" formal or informal?

"Maintained silence" is generally considered neutral to formal in tone, suitable for news reporting, formal discussions, and written communication. It's more formal than alternatives like "stayed mum".

What does it mean to "maintain silence"?

To "maintain silence" means to deliberately and consistently refrain from speaking or providing information. It often implies a conscious decision to withhold communication.