settled quietly

USAGE SUMMARY

"settled quietly" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a situation where something or someone comes to rest or conclusion in a calm or unobtrusive manner. Example: "After the argument, they settled quietly into a comfortable silence." Alternative expressions include "calmly resolved" and "peacefully concluded."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Ultimately, the dispute was settled quietly.

The New York Times

In 1983, he settled quietly on a horse farm in Creston, California.

The New Yorker

Although the matter is being settled quietly, there was drama on election night.

The New York Times

A few days later, the suit was settled quietly on undisclosed terms for undisclosed reasons.

The New York Times

In contrast to the vociferous bashing of foreigners, it appears that many local cases have been settled quietly and with no disclosure of wrongdoing.

The Economist

A little over a year later, what had begun as a $55 million lawsuit was settled quietly, still shrouded in uncertainty.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

"In situations like this historically, it's not worth going to a judge; you settle quietly".

The New York Times

Now, at 58, there is no reason to believe that the former governor intends to settle quietly into the life of a private citizen.

The New York Times

After we greeted one another, I turned to settle quietly in for the ride midway up the glacier where every year the ski season's first World Cup race is held.

The New York Times - Travel

9 15 A.M. Both cats, released from carriers, return to their places on the floor and settle quietly, convincing me that I have discovered the secret to problem-free feline travel.

The New York Times - Travel

The Virginia Polytechnic Institute's effort to settle quietly with victims of the April 2007 campus massacre and their families got off to a rocky start when a relative decided to ignore an official request "not to discuss the settlement" and tell The Associated Press about it.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "settled quietly" to convey both the resolution of a situation and the absence of public attention or disturbance. This is particularly useful in describing legal agreements, personal disputes, or any situation where discretion is valued.

Common error

Avoid using "settled quietly" repeatedly in formal reports, as it can sound repetitive or imply a lack of transparency. Instead, vary your language with synonyms like "resolved discreetly" or "concluded privately" to maintain reader engagement and provide a more nuanced understanding of the situation.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "settled quietly" is that of a verb phrase, where "settled" is the verb and "quietly" is an adverb modifying it. This describes the manner in which an action (settling) is performed. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is perfectly usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

91%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "settled quietly" describes the resolution of a situation without public attention, often used in contexts like legal agreements or personal disputes where discretion is valued. While grammatically sound and deemed correct by Ludwig AI, its usage should be varied in formal writing to avoid repetition. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media sources and carries a neutral register. Consider synonyms like "resolved discreetly" or "concluded privately" to add nuance and variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quietly reached a resolution

Maintains "quietly" to describe the manner of resolution but uses "reached a resolution" in place of "settled" to focus on the act of resolving.

resolved discreetly

Replaces "settled" with "resolved" emphasizing the act of solving, and "quietly" with "discreetly", highlighting confidentiality.

concluded privately

Substitutes "settled" with "concluded," which emphasizes finality, and "quietly" with "privately," stressing the lack of public knowledge.

resolved without fanfare

Uses "resolved" for "settled", focusing on the solution, and replaces "quietly" with "without fanfare", indicating a lack of publicity.

reached a silent agreement

Replaces "settled" with "reached an agreement", and emphasizes the lack of noise with "silent".

came to a confidential understanding

Emphasizes mutual agreement and secrecy, replacing "settled" with "came to an understanding" and "quietly" with "confidential".

calmed down gradually

Focuses on a reduction in tension, using "calmed down" to replace "settled" and "gradually" to suggest a slow and quiet transition.

subsided uneventfully

Highlights the lack of incident, replacing "settled" with "subsided" and "quietly" with "uneventfully".

eased into stillness

Replaces "settled" with "eased," focusing on a gentle transition, and uses "stillness" to amplify the quiet aspect.

moved into a peaceful state

Emphasizes the resulting tranquility, substituting "settled" with "moved into" and specifying "peaceful state" for quietness.

FAQs

What does "settled quietly" mean?

The phrase "settled quietly" describes a situation or dispute that has been resolved without public attention or disturbance. It implies discretion and a lack of fanfare in reaching a resolution.

How can I use "settled quietly" in a sentence?

You can use "settled quietly" to describe how a disagreement was resolved, such as: "The lawsuit was "settled quietly" out of court, with both parties agreeing to a confidentiality agreement."

What can I say instead of "settled quietly"?

You can use alternatives like "resolved discreetly", "concluded privately", or "reached a silent agreement" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "settled quietly" in formal writing?

Yes, but use it judiciously. While grammatically correct, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Consider using synonyms like "resolved without fanfare" for variety.