remain silent

USAGE SUMMARY

"remain silent" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to urge or request someone to not speak. For example, "In order to show respect, please remain silent during the ceremony."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"We cannot remain silent.

The New Yorker

Will you remain silent?

The New York Times

Some remain silent.

The Washington Post

Dare he remain silent?

The New York Times

"These cases remain silent".

The New York Times - Sports

I will not remain silent.

The New York Times

Or shall they remain silent?

The New Yorker

Others remain silent and expressionless.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

"The prosecutors could not remain 'silent.'".

Vice

You have the right to remain silent...."...

The New York Times - Magazine

I cannot in good conscience remain silent...".

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "remain silent" when you want to emphasize a deliberate choice not to speak, often in situations where speaking might be expected or have consequences.

Common error

Avoid using "remain silent" when simply indicating someone isn't talking. "Remain silent" suggests a conscious decision, not just an absence of speech.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "remain silent" functions primarily as a verb phrase, where "remain" is a copular verb linking the subject to the adjective "silent". Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "remain silent" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression that signifies a deliberate choice not to speak. According to Ludwig AI, it's appropriate for urging or requesting silence. Its usage spans across diverse contexts, primarily in News & Media, Science, and Academia. While alternatives like "keep quiet" or "stay silent" exist, "remain silent" carries a specific nuance of conscious and purposeful silence. Whether for legal reasons, respect, or strategic intent, the phrase effectively communicates the act of consciously withholding speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

keep quiet

Emphasizes the act of maintaining silence or refraining from speaking.

stay silent

Similar to "remain silent", indicating a choice to not speak or make noise.

hold one's tongue

Suggests a conscious effort to avoid speaking, often to prevent saying something inappropriate.

say nothing

A simple and direct way to convey the lack of speech.

not utter a word

Highlights the complete absence of speech.

refrain from speaking

Formally expresses the act of deliberately avoiding speech.

clam up

Suggests a sudden refusal to speak, often due to fear or discomfort.

fall silent

Indicates a transition into a state of silence.

become mute

Implies a temporary or permanent loss of the ability to speak.

button one's lip

Indicates a commitment to not reveal a secret or sensitive information.

FAQs

How can I use "remain silent" in a sentence?

You can use "remain silent" to describe a deliberate choice not to speak. For instance, "The suspect chose to remain silent during questioning" or "Out of respect, please remain silent during the performance".

What are some alternatives to "remain silent"?

Alternatives include "keep quiet", "stay silent", or "hold one's tongue", each carrying slightly different connotations.

Is it better to use "remain silent" or "stay silent"?

"Remain silent" and "stay silent" are largely interchangeable. "Remain" might suggest a more formal or prolonged silence, while "stay" implies continuing an existing state of silence.

When is it appropriate to "remain silent"?

It is appropriate to "remain silent" when one chooses not to speak for strategic, respectful, or legal reasons, such as when invoking the right to silence or showing deference in a solemn setting.