move silently

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "move silently" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when describing actions that are done without making noise. Example: The cat learned to move silently through the tall grass. Alternative expressions include "sneak quietly" and "glide noiselessly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

Visitors move silently through the show with their mouths open.

The New York Times - Arts

Most, though, move silently, like deer through a forest, rarely lingering long.

The New York Times - Arts

This tissue acts as a 'shock absorber' and allows the elephant to move silently.

Independent

You must be able to move silently if you are to carry out confidential tasks.

The Guardian

Let dreams move silently as stars, in wonder more than you can tell.

The Guardian - Books

Elephants make a racket when they're feeding, but they can also move silently through dry leaves and twigs.

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

Johnny moved silently to my side of the compartment.

The New Yorker

Even when he stopped chewing, his lips moved silently.

The Guardian

He and Diego looked at the cellphone, and their lips moved silently.

The New York Times - Sports

As he came, he leaned into the turns of the trail, moving silently and gracefully along.

The New Yorker

Her lips moved silently, and then she said, "The suspect is Supervisor Dan White".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing actions in stealth or covert operations, use "move silently" to emphasize the importance of avoiding detection through sound.

Common error

Don't use phrases like "move very silently". The adverb "silently" already implies a lack of noise, so adding "very" is usually unnecessary and weakens the writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "move silently" functions as a verb phrase where "move" is the main verb and "silently" is an adverb modifying the verb to describe the manner of movement. Ludwig's examples show it describing both literal physical movement and metaphorical or abstract progress.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "move silently" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression that describes the act of moving without making noise. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and natural in English writing. Its primary function is to convey the manner of movement, emphasizing the absence of sound, particularly in situations requiring stealth or discretion. While applicable in various contexts, it's most frequently encountered in news and media, as well as in wiki-based content. To enhance clarity and precision in writing, consider alternatives such as "proceed without a sound" or ""advance stealthily"", and avoid redundant phrasing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

proceed without a sound

Replaces "move" with "proceed" and emphasizes the absence of sound.

advance stealthily

Substitutes "move" with "advance" and uses the adverb "stealthily" to convey silence and secrecy.

creep quietly

Uses "creep" to imply slow, cautious movement and "quietly" to denote the lack of noise.

glide noiselessly

Emphasizes smooth, silent movement.

sneak around

Suggests a covert, hushed movement.

tiptoe without being heard

Specific to walking on tiptoes, emphasizing the goal of not being detected by sound.

walk softly

Focuses on reducing the sound of footsteps.

traverse noiselessly

A more formal way of saying to move silently across something.

operate covertly

Implies secret actions beyond just physical movement.

make no sound while traveling

A more verbose way of expressing the original query's meaning, emphasizing the absence of noise during movement.

FAQs

How can I use "move silently" in a sentence?

You can use "move silently" to describe how a character navigates a space without making noise. For example, "The spy had to move silently through the museum to avoid detection".

What are some synonyms for "move silently"?

Alternatives include "creep quietly", "advance stealthily", or "glide noiselessly", depending on the specific context.

Is it redundant to say "move very silently"?

Yes, it is generally redundant. The adverb "silently" already implies a high degree of quietness, so adding "very" is unnecessary. You could instead use a stronger verb like "creep".

What's the difference between "move silently" and "sneak around"?

"Move silently" focuses specifically on the lack of noise while moving. "Sneak around" implies a secretive or furtive manner of movement, which may or may not involve silence.