suspiciously quiet

USAGE SUMMARY

"suspiciously quiet" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a situation or environment that seems unusually calm or silent, raising doubts or concerns. Example: The abandoned house was suspiciously quiet, making me wonder if anyone was inside. Alternative expressions include "eerily silent" and "unusually still."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Zain, 11, Saqlain, nine, and Hasanain, four, sit listening – suspiciously quiet for boys in the prime of their rowdiness.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The party has gone suspiciously quiet recently about its policies on raising child benefit, along with the whole swathe of welfare state reforms it is committed to.

The Guardian - Opinion

The DUP, for example, have gone suspiciously quiet in recent days (although in the past they have said they are opposed to the boundary changes).

The Guardian

It is suspiciously quiet, as if waiting for an unsuspecting snacker to wander up despite this most obvious setting and get a spring-loaded snake in the face.

The New York Times

Within days its share price collapsed by about 90%.In this section Swipe, pinch and zoom to the courtroom Biting back at Apple Stuck in fifth gear Second life Suspiciously quiet And then there were three?

The Economist

The market could decelerate now Ramadan is over.In this section Swipe, pinch and zoom to the courtroom Biting back at Apple Stuck in fifth gear Second life Suspiciously quiet And then there were three?

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

The returns he achieved were suspiciously smooth.

The Economist

At the beginning of the second world war, his enthusiasm led to his arrest as a German spy, after a special constable discovered him lurking suspiciously with his camera beside a quiet railway line.

The Guardian

Others mumbled suspiciously that "the press" were lurking, warning each other to keep quiet in case their business ended up in the national newspapers.

The Guardian

Various tooled-up shadows slipped suspiciously away from the carol service in the square or popped into the Vic for a quiet word.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

People eyed her suspiciously.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "suspiciously quiet" to create a sense of unease or anticipation in your writing. This phrase works well when you want to suggest that something is amiss or that a situation is not as calm as it appears.

Common error

Avoid using "suspiciously quiet" too frequently in dialogue. It can sound unnatural if characters repeatedly comment on the silence, especially if other clues already indicate something is wrong. Show, don't tell, by describing characters' reactions to the silence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "suspiciously quiet" primarily functions as an adjectival modifier, where the adverb "suspiciously" intensifies and qualifies the adjective "quiet". It describes a state of unusual or unexpected silence that raises concern or doubt. This is supported by Ludwig, which confirms its correct usage and provides numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "suspiciously quiet" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that describes an unsettling or unusual silence. As confirmed by Ludwig, it effectively creates a sense of unease and anticipation. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media contexts, maintaining a neutral register while conveying a sense of something amiss. Remember to use it judiciously in dialogue to avoid sounding unnatural, and consider alternatives like "eerily silent" or "ominously silent" for varied expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

strangely silent

Highlights the oddness of the silence.

ominously silent

Implies a threatening or foreboding silence.

eerily silent

Focuses more on the unsettling nature of the silence.

disturbingly still

Highlights the unsettling lack of movement.

unusually still

Emphasizes the lack of movement rather than sound.

remarkably hushed

Uses 'hushed' to stress a subdued atmosphere.

noticeably subdued

Indicates a reduction in activity or noise that is easily observed.

unexpectedly muted

Suggests the quietness was not anticipated.

curiously calm

Shifts the focus to calmness as the unusual aspect.

peculiarly peaceful

Highlights the unusual tranquility.

FAQs

How can I use "suspiciously quiet" in a sentence?

You can use "suspiciously quiet" to describe an unusually calm or silent situation that makes you feel uneasy. For example, "The forest was "suspiciously quiet" before the storm hit."

What's a similar phrase to "suspiciously quiet"?

Similar phrases include "eerily silent", "strangely silent", or "ominously silent", all suggesting an unsettling lack of noise.

What does it mean when something is described as "suspiciously quiet"?

It means the silence is unexpected or out of character for the situation, raising concerns that something might be wrong or about to happen.

Is it grammatically correct to say "suspiciously quiet"?

Yes, "suspiciously quiet" is grammatically correct. "Suspiciously" is an adverb modifying the adjective "quiet."