sustained quiet

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sustained quiet" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a prolonged period of silence or calmness, often in a specific context such as a setting or environment. Example: "The library was filled with sustained quiet, allowing students to focus on their studies without distractions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Opinion

Books

Sports

Lifestyle

TV & Radio

Geriatrics

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Only a sustained quiet raised them up again, with the call to trust in the Lord now so fresh in Gloria's heart.

The New York Times

As sustained quiet, thick-textured string chords convey the overall calm of the scene, urban sounds intrude, with a passing fire engine, pianos playing ragtime from nearby taverns and more.

The New York Times - Arts

Like Mr. Vickers, the great Canadian tenor of the 1960's and 70's, he has a voice that is baritonally anchored, with ringing high notes that drop to soft (yet always tonally sustained) quiet passages, and complex, even idiosyncratic phrasing.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Thabo Mbeki, the South African president, has always been careful not to embarrass Mugabe, preferring a sustained, quieter dialogue with his old ally.

The Guardian - Opinion

If political leaders and military experts determine that the only way to achieve its goal of sustaining quiet is through genocide is it then permissible to achieve those responsible goals?" In addition to the remarkable irony of a Jewish man calling for the killing of an entire group of people, Gordon's op-ed includes a strange reference to NBA basketball.

Vice

Here, as the choir sustained a quiet and almost continuous drone, two singers combined in the role of Narrator, singing in rudimentary counterpoint as Jesus held forth from the pulpit (Thomas McCargar, a baritone).

The New York Times - Arts

Sara, though always frail in health, managed to sustain a quiet but productive literary career of her own, doing so with considerable resilience and élan.

The Guardian - Books

In sustained moments of quiet the performers station themselves boldly before the audience.

The New York Times - Arts

Until then, I am sustained by the quiet beauty of the garden in its winter dress.

The New York Times

Quiet sustained chords and shifting harmonies that sometimes brought Gesualdo to mind floated in and out of pitchless vocalizations, ghostly exhalations and percussive consonants.

The New York Times - Arts

Ms. Phair's voice was sinewy in the angrier songs and sustained in the quiet ones; she has taken singing lessons over the years.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sustained quiet" to emphasize a period of prolonged silence or calmness, often in contrast to a previous or expected state of activity or noise.

Common error

Avoid using "sustained quiet" to describe a brief or momentary silence. The phrase implies a significant duration, so ensure the context reflects this.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sustained quiet" functions primarily as a noun phrase or an adjectival phrase modifying an implied noun. It typically describes a state or condition characterized by prolonged lack of noise and/or a state of calm. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is considered correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Arts

20%

Opinion

5%

Less common in

Books

3%

Sports

3%

Lifestyle

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sustained quiet" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that describes a prolonged period of silence or calmness. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While relatively rare in overall usage, it appears most frequently in News & Media contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the context implies a significant duration of quiet, making it ideal for describing environments or situations where peace and concentration are valued. Alternatives such as "prolonged silence" or "extended calm" can offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prolonged silence

Focuses on the duration of the silence, similar to "sustained quiet".

extended calm

Emphasizes the peaceful and undisturbed nature of the quiet.

lasting tranquility

Highlights the long-lasting and serene aspect of the quiet.

uninterrupted stillness

Focuses on the absence of disruptions in the quiet.

continued hush

Emphasizes the consistent and gentle nature of the quiet.

persistent quietude

Highlights the enduring quality of the quiet state.

unrelenting silence

Focuses on the continuous and unbroken nature of the silence.

stable serenity

Emphasizes the consistent and peaceful aspect of the quiet.

constant peacefulness

Highlights the steady and calm quality of the environment.

maintained quietness

Emphasizes the active preservation of a state of quiet.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "sustained quiet" in a sentence?

Use "sustained quiet" to describe a prolonged period of calmness or silence, often in settings where noise or activity might be expected. For example, "The library was filled with "sustained quiet", allowing students to focus."

What are some alternatives to "sustained quiet"?

You can use alternatives such as "prolonged silence", "extended calm", or "lasting tranquility" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "a sustained quiet"?

While grammatically acceptable, it's more common and natural to use "sustained quiet" without the article "a", as quiet is often treated as an uncountable noun in this context.

What's the difference between "sustained quiet" and "mere silence"?

"Sustained quiet" emphasizes a continuous and prolonged period of calmness, while "mere silence" suggests just the absence of noise, without necessarily implying duration or calmness. "Sustained quiet" often has a quality of peace or tranquility associated with it.