quietly

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "quietly" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something is being done without disruption or noise. For example, "The little cat crept quietly through the door and out into the garden."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That is why I have sought, until now, to fight my imprisonment quietly from within, to make the authorities understand that this is all a terrible mistake, that I've been caught in the middle of a political struggle that is not my own.

The Guardian

And so, seeing an opportunity to help tackle it, Dewey set up a Twitter bot "to quietly, politely correct misgendering errors".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The 27-year-old, who in January this year was reconvicted in absentia of the murder of Meredith Kercher, has been quietly writing up local news for the past few months.

The Guardian

But in the antic and frantic world of advertising, who is to say what a powerful self-promotional tool quietly spoken and cerebral self-effacement might be?

The Guardian

The mother of baby Aukse wept quietly in court as her partner was sentenced.

The Guardian

The nominated body of work included Julia Gillard: where did it all go wrong?, Tony Abbott has another rival in the toughest race of his life – himself and Tony Abbott keeps the Catholic faith, quietly.

The Guardian

The councillor is making his rounds, quietly soliciting from his neighbours their troubles and concerns.

The Guardian

He who gives nothing to the media but a cursory nod, performed the gig quietly on Sunday in front of Wikingsson and eight cameras.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"If the money defeats me, " he says quietly, turning back to me, "I will disappear".

The Guardian

Villarreal: quietly going about being very, very good indeed – 389 minutes without conceding, five wins in a row and a manager who declares himself "proud … and very satisfied".

The Guardian - Sport

There are bitter memories of 2006, when the paper's issue featuring the Muhammad cartoons sold 500,000 copies and the previous editorial shareholders quietly took home six-figure dividends, infuriating the rest of the staff.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "quietly" to add nuance to descriptions by specifying the manner in which an action is performed, emphasizing the lack of disturbance or noise. For instance, "The data was quietly updated" conveys a seamless, non-disruptive process.

Common error

Avoid using "quietly" when you intend to convey absolute silence or stillness. "Quietly" implies a subdued manner of action, not the total absence of it. Use "silently" or "without a sound" to indicate complete silence.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "quietly" primarily functions as a modifier of verbs, describing the manner in which an action is performed. It indicates that an action is carried out with a low level of noise or disturbance. According to Ludwig, the term is grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "quietly" functions as an adverb that modifies verbs, denoting a subdued or unobtrusive manner of action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and versatile. Its primary function is to communicate subtlety or discretion, often found in news and media contexts. Remember that ""quietly"" is distinct from "silently", with the former implying subdued action and the latter implying a complete absence of sound. Alternatives include "softly", "discreetly" and "subtly", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. With "quietly" being a commonly used word, employing it properly enhances clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

softly

Focuses on the gentle nature of the action.

in a hushed manner

Emphasizes the silence surrounding the action more explicitly.

discreetly

Suggests the action is done in a way to avoid causing embarrassment or attracting attention.

without a sound

Highlights the absence of noise during the action.

unobtrusively

Highlights the lack of intrusiveness of the action.

subtly

Indicates the action is performed in a way that's not easily noticed.

in silence

Emphasizes the lack of any verbal communication.

in a low voice

Specific to speaking, indicating a reduced volume.

with bated breath

Implies anticipation and near-silence due to excitement or anxiety.

under one's breath

Suggests the action is performed barely audibly, often to avoid being overheard.

FAQs

How can I use "quietly" in a sentence?

The adverb "quietly" describes an action done without much noise or disturbance. For example, "She "quietly" closed the door" or "The company "quietly" implemented the new policy".

What's the difference between "quietly" and "silently"?

"Quietly" suggests a subdued manner, implying a reduction of noise or activity. "Silently", on the other hand, means without any sound at all. You might "quietly" rearrange papers on your desk, but sit "silently" during a meditation session.

What are some synonyms for "quietly"?

Depending on the specific meaning you want to convey, you can use synonyms for "quietly" such as "softly", "discreetly", "subtly", or "unobtrusively".

Is it correct to say someone "quietly disappeared"?

Yes, ""quietly" disappeared" is grammatically correct and implies someone left without causing attention or disturbance. This suggests a subtle or gradual departure rather than a sudden one. Consider alternatives like "vanished without a trace" if you're emphasizing a complete lack of evidence.