remained silent on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "remained silent on" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a topic or issue that someone has chosen not to comment on or address publicly. Example: "The government remained silent on the allegations of misconduct, leaving the public in the dark."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He remained silent on Ms. Power.

The New York Times

Monaco remained silent on the report.

The New York Times

remained silent on the matter on Tuesday.

The Guardian

But it has remained silent on the securities bill.

The New York Times

Mr. Sessions and the Justice Department remained silent on Monday.

The New York Times

Most African states have remained silent on Zimbabwe.

The Guardian - Opinion

Up until now she has remained silent on the matter.

Independent

Armstrong has remained silent on Livestrong's new direction.

The New York Times - Sports

They've remained silent on matters relating to high-heeled shoes.

Independent

The broadcasting regulator, Conatel, has remained silent on the issue.

The Economist

Opposition politicians have remained silent on the issue.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "remained silent on" when you want to emphasize a deliberate choice not to speak or comment on a specific topic. This implies a conscious decision to withhold information or opinion.

Common error

While acceptable, "remained silent on" can sometimes sound less formal than alternatives like "did not comment on" or "declined to address", especially in professional or academic writing. Choose the phrasing that best suits the tone of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "remained silent on" functions as a verbal phrase indicating a deliberate lack of communication or commentary regarding a specific subject. As seen in the Ludwig examples, it's frequently used to describe a person's or entity's choice to not address an issue.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

96%

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "remained silent on" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe a lack of commentary or response on a particular issue. As evidenced by the numerous examples provided by Ludwig, its use is prevalent in news and media contexts, where objective reporting often requires noting when individuals or organizations choose not to address specific topics. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness of the phrase. While generally neutral in tone, careful consideration should be given to context and audience to ensure the most appropriate level of formality. Alternative phrases such as "did not comment on" or "refrained from speaking about" may be more suitable in certain situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

did not comment on

Indicates a deliberate choice not to offer an opinion or information.

refrained from speaking about

Highlights the act of holding back from making a statement.

offered no response to

Focuses on the absence of a reaction or reply.

declined to address

Emphasizes a formal refusal to discuss a matter.

kept mum about

An informal way of saying someone didn't reveal anything.

stayed quiet regarding

Highlights a passive approach to not engaging with a subject.

passed over in silence

Emphasizes avoiding the topic completely.

evaded the question of

Indicates skillful avoidance of a direct answer.

ignored the issue of

Implies a disregard for a particular subject or concern.

gave no indication about

Suggests a lack of clues or signs regarding an opinion or stance.

FAQs

What does "remained silent on" mean?

The phrase "remained silent on" means that someone or something chose not to comment or provide information about a particular topic or issue. It indicates a lack of communication on a specific subject.

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

You can use alternatives like "did not comment on", "refrained from speaking about", or "offered no response to" depending on the context.

Is "remained silent on" formal or informal?

The phrase "remained silent on" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal writing, alternatives like "declined to address" might be more appropriate.

How is "remained silent on" different from "ignored the issue"?

While both phrases indicate a lack of engagement, "remained silent on" suggests a conscious decision not to speak about something, whereas "ignored the issue of" implies a disregard or deliberate overlooking of the matter.