The phrase "silence linger" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a moment where silence remains or persists in a particular setting or situation.
Example: "After the announcement, a profound silence lingered in the room, leaving everyone in deep thought."
Alternatives: "silence persists" or "silence hangs".
But those present seemed moved and let silence linger for half a minute at the end before breaking into a long, ardent ovation.
The Master relishes silence not only in himself but in others: "He enjoyed how George Gammon let the silence linger"; "He admired her all the more for... how happy she seemed after a time to let silence reign between them".
"It's tough out there," he says, and lets the silence linger too long.
George keeps quiet as he drives, letting the silence linger before anxiously muttering, "I don't want to say anything, because I don't want to get in trouble with Maria".
George kept quiet as he drove, letting the silence linger before anxiously muttering, "I don't want to say anything, because I don't want to get in trouble with Maria".
Dread swells best when silence lingers.
And yet, behind the garrulous presentation of these existential paradoxes, a silence lingers.
"Are you guys fucking Japanese or what?" she asks when an awkward silence lingers between songs.
At the end, a rapt silence lingered for a seemingly endless minute or more before giving way to thunderous applause.
While Lincecum, 25, said he did not pitch with "a chip on my shoulder," he wished his 38-14 carecordecord and durability would silence lingering questions about his unorthodox motion.
Samurai Jack certainly has a more cinematic feel than any of Tartakovsky's best Cartoon Network stuff: there are more widescreens, more atmospheric silences lingering on a single shot and more tension.
