terrible silence

USAGE SUMMARY

"terrible silence" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
It describes something that is oppressive and melancholic. Example sentence: In the aftermath of the explosion, a terrible silence descended upon the city.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

There was a long, terrible silence.

The New Yorker

A terrible silence descends over the kitchen.

Independent

"And there was this terrible silence.

The New Yorker

There was an awful crash followed by a terrible silence.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This causes "a terrible silence," after which: RILEY: Your father was what?

The New Yorker

There was a terrible silence, then the sound of people moaning, crying and calling for help.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

Sad faces, bitter eyes, terrible silences all under this metal ceiling – one that used to hang over a sports room where boys played, now a place for tributes and condolences.

The Guardian

In 2003, Howard Dean spoke against the Iraq War in a time of fearful silence, when almost no one "respectable" would cast doubt on that terrible mistake.

Huffington Post

There was this terrible, horrible silence.

The Guardian

I responded with a terrible, puzzled silence, followed by certain bleating sounds that resembled English words.

The New Yorker

Like everyone else, they urged me into a terrible, definitive silence, there to die a little more each day.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "terrible silence" to emphasize a significant and often unsettling absence of sound, particularly after a dramatic event or revelation. This phrase can effectively create tension and anticipation in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "terrible silence" to describe ordinary quiet moments. This phrase implies a profound and often negative significance, so reserve it for situations where the silence is truly impactful and laden with emotion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "terrible silence" functions as a descriptive noun phrase. Ludwig AI highlights that it characterizes a specific state of quietude, emphasizing its unsettling and melancholic nature. It is commonly used to describe an absence of sound that is particularly impactful and often negative.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "terrible silence" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression, effectively conveying a sense of unease and significance in the absence of sound. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriateness for use in written English, particularly to describe situations laden with tension or following dramatic events. Its prevalent use in news and media, coupled with the availability of related phrases such as "ghastly silence" and "dreadful silence", underscores its importance in descriptive writing. When employing this phrase, writers should ensure the context warrants the profound and often negative connotations it carries, avoiding its application in mundane or trivial situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ghastly silence

Replaces "terrible" with "ghastly", emphasizing the unpleasant and frightening nature of the silence.

terrible hush

Uses "hush" instead of "silence", implying a more suppressed or imposed quiet.

appalling silence

Substitutes "terrible" with "appalling", highlighting the shocking or horrifying aspect of the silence.

frightful silence

Replaces "terrible" with "frightful", focusing on the fear-inducing quality of the silence.

dreadful silence

Employs "dreadful" in place of "terrible", suggesting a silence filled with apprehension and unease.

awful silence

Uses "awful" as a substitute for "terrible", emphasizing the unpleasantness and oppressiveness of the silence.

terrifying silence

Replaces "terrible" with "terrifying", amplifying the fear and dread associated with the silence.

devastating silence

Substitutes "terrible" with "devastating", highlighting the profoundly damaging or shocking nature of the silence.

harrowing silence

Replaces "terrible" with "harrowing", emphasizing the distressing or painful quality of the silence.

horrifying silence

Employs "horrifying" in place of "terrible", stressing the shocking and disturbing nature of the silence.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "terrible silence" in a sentence?

Use "terrible silence" to emphasize a significant and unsettling absence of sound, often following a dramatic event or revelation. For instance, "After the announcement, a "terrible silence" fell over the room."

What phrases can I use instead of "terrible silence"?

Alternatives include "ghastly silence", "dreadful silence", or "terrifying silence", each conveying a similar sense of unease and profound quiet.

Is "terrible silence" grammatically correct?

Yes, "terrible silence" is grammatically correct. "Terrible" is an adjective modifying the noun "silence", forming a descriptive phrase.

What connotations does "terrible silence" have?

"Terrible silence" typically carries negative connotations, suggesting an unsettling, oppressive, or emotionally charged absence of sound. It often implies tension, anticipation, or the aftermath of a significant event.