she remained silent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "she remained silent" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where a person chooses not to speak or respond, often implying a sense of contemplation, discomfort, or agreement. Example: "When the controversial topic was brought up, she remained silent, allowing others to voice their opinions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

She remained silent.

The New Yorker

When she remained silent, I figured she was embarrassed.

The New York Times - Magazine

So she remained silent, fearing he might abandon her.

The New Yorker

Even when the professor expressed an urgent wish to talk with her through the matchmaker, she remained silent.

The New Yorker

She remained silent at first, but eventually she responded that she did not see how she had any other option.

The New Yorker

Ms Widdecombe would have sliced through that easily enough, but she remained silent, possibly under orders from William Hague.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

She said she had remained silent out of respect for Mr. Thurmond, his career and the rest of his family.

The New York Times

"She has remained silent because she believed it was best to keep her mental health diagnosis private".

Huffington Post

Up until now she has remained silent on the matter.

Independent

The counsellor had attended the staff meeting where Mallinckrodt spoke out, but she had remained silent.

The New Yorker

She otherwise remained silent apart from wishing the rest of the cabinet a merry Christmas on her departure.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "she remained silent" when you want to convey a sense of deliberation, mystery, or potential disapproval. It suggests a conscious choice not to speak, rather than simply being unable to.

Common error

Avoid using "she remained silent" when the context requires active communication. Ensure that silence is a deliberate choice, not a result of fear or inability to speak.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "she remained silent" typically functions as a clause within a larger sentence. It describes a state of being (remaining) combined with an action (silent), indicating a deliberate choice not to speak. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a grammatically correct phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Wiki

9%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "she remained silent" is a versatile and grammatically correct expression used to depict a deliberate choice not to speak. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it frequently appears in news and media contexts, conveying a range of implications from contemplation to strategic withholding of information. While alternatives like "she stayed quiet" or "she held her tongue" exist, "she remained silent" carries a specific weight, often suggesting a deeper meaning behind the lack of words. Understanding this nuance allows writers to effectively leverage the power of silence in their narratives. The widespread examples and Ludwig's endorsement confirm its appropriateness for various writing styles and contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

she stayed quiet

Simple and direct synonym emphasizing the absence of noise or speech.

she didn't utter a word

Focuses on the complete absence of speech.

she refrained from speaking

Emphasizes the conscious act of avoiding speech.

she held her tongue

Highlights restraint and the conscious decision not to say something.

she made no comment

Specifically refers to the lack of any statement or opinion.

she kept mum

Emphasizes secrecy or unwillingness to speak.

she offered no response

Highlights the lack of any reaction, verbal or otherwise.

she gave no answer

Focuses specifically on the absence of a reply.

she was taciturn

Indicates a habitual disinclination to talk.

she communicated nonverbally

Suggests a deliberate choice to use body language instead of words.

FAQs

How can I use "she remained silent" in a sentence?

Use "she remained silent" to indicate a deliberate choice not to speak, often implying contemplation, disagreement, or a strategic pause. For example, "When confronted with the accusation, "she remained silent", leaving her accusers to wonder about her motives."

What does it mean when someone says "she remained silent"?

It suggests that the person deliberately chose not to speak or respond, potentially due to various reasons, such as disagreement, contemplation, fear, or strategic intent. The silence itself becomes a form of communication.

What are some alternatives to "she remained silent"?

You can use alternatives like "she stayed quiet", "she held her tongue", or "she didn't utter a word" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it ever incorrect to say "she remained silent"?

It would be incorrect if the context suggests the person was physically unable to speak (e.g., due to a medical condition) or if the silence was unintentional. Ensure the silence is a deliberate act.