remained largely silent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "remained largely silent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone or a group has not spoken or expressed their thoughts or opinions on a particular matter. Example: "During the heated debate, many members of the committee remained largely silent, choosing not to voice their concerns."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

But both men have remained largely silent.

The New York Times

Why has the free world remained largely silent?

The New York Times

President Megawati has remained largely silent since Saturday night.

The New York Times

The FSB had remained largely silent about the progress of their investigation.

Independent

While Ms. Harris remained largely silent, "Free Earl" became a slogan, a hashtag, a mantra.

The New York Times - Arts

Yet to her credit, Hathaway has remained largely silent on the topic ever since.

Independent

When Mr. Obama proposed allowing ROTC back on campus, meanwhile, the students remained largely silent.

The New York Times

In a group we remained largely silent, unable to participate in conversations and discussions.

The New Yorker

Through that period, Ms. Moreno stood firmly by her husband's side, yet remained largely silent and out of public view.

The New York Times

While there was widespread condemnation of Trump's comments from Democrats and many media commentators, Trump's Republican rivals remained largely silent.

The New Yorker

Politicians have remained largely silent, wary of causing fights in a country riven by political and sectarian divides.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "remained largely silent" when you want to emphasize a lack of active participation or communication, particularly in situations where some response might be expected or anticipated.

Common error

Avoid using "remained largely silent" in casual or informal writing. Simpler phrases like "stayed quiet" or "didn't say much" are often more appropriate and natural in everyday conversations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "remained largely silent" functions as a verb phrase indicating a state of inactivity or lack of communication. It's used to describe someone's decision or situation where they did not speak or express their opinion. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Science

7%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "remained largely silent" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe a lack of communication or commentary, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in News & Media, it suggests a deliberate or circumstantial absence of verbal or written input. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral to professional contexts, with simpler alternatives favored in casual conversation. The phrase serves to inform readers about an individual or entity's inaction in a specific situation, often implying a conscious choice not to engage. When striving for alternatives, "kept quiet", "offered no response", and "did not speak out" can convey similar meanings with slightly different emphases.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Did not speak out

Emphasizes the lack of public expression of opinion.

Maintained silence

Emphasizes the continuation of a state of silence.

Refrained from commenting

Implies a deliberate choice not to offer an opinion or explanation.

Remained uncommunicative

Focuses on the lack of any form of communication, not just verbal.

Kept quiet

Focuses more on the act of deliberately not speaking.

Offered no response

Highlights the absence of a reply or reaction.

Stayed quiet

Similar to "kept quiet", but slightly less deliberate.

Held their tongue

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

Remained taciturn

Indicates a habitual reluctance to speak.

Broke no silence

Highlights the continuous state of silence, emphasizing its persistence.

FAQs

What does "remained largely silent" mean?

The phrase "remained largely silent" means that someone has mostly not spoken or expressed their views on a particular topic. It suggests a lack of communication or commentary.

What can I say instead of "remained largely silent"?

You can use alternatives like "kept quiet", "offered no response", or "did not speak out" depending on the context.

Is "remained largely silent" a formal expression?

"Remained largely silent" is generally considered a neutral to formal expression. It is commonly found in news articles and reports, but less so in casual conversation.

When is it appropriate to use "remained largely silent"?

It's appropriate to use "remained largely silent" when you want to highlight someone's lack of verbal contribution, especially in a situation where their input might have been expected or significant. For example, "The company's CEO "refrained from commenting" on the recent scandal".