profound silence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "profound silence" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It can be used in various contexts, but it often describes a very deep and meaningful quietness or lack of noise. Example: The courtroom was filled with profound silence as the judge delivered his verdict.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Travel

Religion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

Tenzing conveyed a feeling of profound silence.

The New Yorker

Then follows an hour of profound silence.

The New York Times

Even at its loudest, Barn Owl's music has a profound silence looming behind it.

The New York Times - Arts

She describes the profound silence when crows gather around a dead companion.

The Guardian

In a few minutes, profound silence will begin and last until morning prayer.

The New York Times

A profound silence fell, broken only by spoons scraping on plates.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

A crisp, buoyant performance of Mozart's Quartet in D minor (K. 421) opened the concert, and the concluding account of Sibelius's Quartet in D minor ("Voces Intimae") was notable for its profound silences and cheerful rusticity.

The New York Times

And in the brilliance of that night, and in the profoundest silence I'd ever heard, I took one disbelieving look and shrieked -- simply yowled out my astonishment, and the howl went echoing across those bottomless convolutions that could not possibly exist outside of dreams.

The New York Times - Travel

I won't continue this non-blow-by-non-blow description, except to say that at a certain point the man, Jean Vincent Lindonn), gets out of the car, and Laure, after a pause, follows him, finds him in a bar, and goes with him to a sordid and empty hotel, where they make love in profoundest silence.

The New Yorker

"The dead will be forgotten sooner or later, but who knows it might make a difference if by remembering them, we lose them properly... However profound the silence may be in and around the war cemeteries, we should not conclude too readily the dead are resting in peace at last".

Independent

In "How Tracy Austin Broke My Heart", a meditation on how elite athletes operate, Wallace included these lines that occasionally come to mind whenever I see a Kobe Bryant or Derrick Rose at the line late in a ballgame: "The real secret behind top athletes' genius, then, may be as esoteric and obvious and dull and profound as silence itself.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "profound silence" to describe moments when the absence of sound is particularly striking or meaningful, contributing to the atmosphere or emotional impact of a scene.

Common error

Avoid using "profound silence" simply to mean 'quiet'. The phrase implies a deeper, more significant absence of sound that creates a specific effect or mood.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "profound silence" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "profound" modifies the noun "silence". This creates a description of a particularly deep or significant quietness. As stated by Ludwig, the phrase is correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Arts

25%

Travel

15%

Less common in

Religion

10%

Academia

10%

Science

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "profound silence" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes an intensely meaningful absence of sound. Ludwig confirms its validity and common usage. It's often found in news, arts, and travel contexts, serving to create atmosphere or emphasize a moment's importance. When writing, remember to use this phrase when you want to highlight more than just quietude – aim for moments when the lack of sound speaks volumes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deep stillness

Emphasizes the absence of movement alongside the absence of sound.

complete quiet

Highlights the totality of the silence, leaving no room for any noise.

utter hush

Suggests a sudden and complete cessation of all sound.

deafening quiet

Presents a paradoxical silence that is so intense it feels overwhelming.

solemn stillness

Implies a silence filled with reverence or gravity.

palpable silence

Indicates a silence that can almost be physically felt due to its intensity.

heavy quiet

Conveys a silence that is laden with emotion or significance.

resonant quiet

Highlights the lingering or echoing quality of the silence.

impenetrable stillness

Suggests a silence that is absolute and cannot be broken.

meaningful silence

Emphasizes the significance or unspoken communication within the quiet.

FAQs

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

You can use "profound silence" to describe a moment when the absence of sound is particularly noticeable or meaningful. For example, "A "profound silence" fell over the crowd as the speaker concluded."

What is a synonym for "profound silence"?

Alternatives to "profound silence" include "deep stillness", "complete quiet", or "utter hush". Each carries slightly different connotations of stillness and quietude.

Is it redundant to say "very profound silence"?

Yes, adding "very" to "profound silence" is generally redundant, as "profound" already implies a deep or intense state of quiet. It's best to stick with "profound silence" for maximum impact.

What effect does "profound silence" create in writing?

Using the phrase "profound silence" can heighten tension, emphasize a dramatic moment, or create a sense of awe or reverence. It draws the reader's attention to the absence of sound as a significant element.