thing of quiet

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "thing of quiet" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an object, situation, or concept that embodies tranquility or calmness. Example: "In the midst of the chaos, she found a thing of quiet in the old library, where the only sound was the rustling of pages."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

FOR the hundreds of thousands of Haitians still living in tents or in the streets following the earthquake that devastated the capital, Port-au-Prince, on January 12th, life remains a thing of quiet anxiety.

The Economist

His Twitter is a thing of quiet beauty, casual documentation of a life spent dotting around some of the world's furthest corners with all the insouciance of your nan's Grimbsy 92 album on Facebook.

Vice

His Twitter is a thing of quiet beauty, casual documentation of a life spent dotting around some of the world's furthest corners with all the insouciance of your nan's GRIMSBY 92 album on Facebook.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Mainly Ceefax was that vanished thing, a voice of quiet authority: entirely straight, irreproachably trustworthy, even its name – "see facts" – devoid of all frippery.

The Guardian - Sport

"Things were kind of quiet, then we had this onslaught of people buying pumpkins just before closing, like there was some kind of pumpkin emergency".

Huffington Post

The aching question of where they belong lurks under the surface of things, the quiet desperation of dying spirits too tired to dream anymore.

The New York Times - Books

I love that sense of quiet first thing in the morning as the world (well, those of us on GMT) wakes up.

The Guardian - Money

It's that thing of standing in a quiet room, and experiencing the way the air moves when the orchestra start to play.

The Guardian - Music

"But if we were to enter a period of quiet, then things that are impossible today could become possible".

The New York Times

It's that whole thing of 'most men lead lives of quiet desperation'.

The Guardian - Film

"A lot of things went quiet on that front so it gives us a wee bit of positive news," added Locke.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, consider if a more direct phrase like "source of tranquility" or "peaceful moment" might be more impactful depending on the context. "Thing of quiet" is suitable when you're aiming for a slightly more poetic or subtle tone.

Common error

Avoid overusing "thing of quiet" in straightforward, descriptive writing. It can sound affected if a simpler, more direct phrase is available. For instance, instead of saying "the library was a thing of quiet", consider "the library was quiet and peaceful".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thing of quiet" functions as a noun phrase, with "thing" as the head noun and "of quiet" acting as a post-modifier. It describes something possessing the quality of quietness or tranquility. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "thing of quiet" is a grammatically correct but relatively rare phrase used to describe something possessing a peaceful quality. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While primarily found in News & Media contexts, it's best suited for descriptive or literary writing where a subtle and evocative tone is desired. Consider alternatives like "source of tranquility" or "peaceful moment" for more direct prose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

source of tranquility

Replaces the entire phrase with a more direct expression of a calming influence.

moment of stillness

Focuses on the lack of movement or noise, using different nouns and adjectives.

soothing presence

Focuses on the comforting aspect of something that brings quiet, altering word choice and structure.

peaceful moment

Replaces "thing" with "moment" to emphasize the brevity and fleeting nature of the quiet.

peaceful atmosphere

Shifts the focus to the overall environment, using "atmosphere" and "peaceful".

serene experience

Substitutes "thing" with "experience" and "quiet" with "serene", highlighting the calming sensation.

quiet interlude

Suggests a temporary period of peace, altering both the noun and adjective.

silent beauty

Highlights the aesthetic quality of quiet, substituting "thing" and "quiet".

calm object

Emphasizes the physicality of an object that brings quiet, changing the prepositional phrase.

tranquil scene

Conveys a visual sense of peace, changing the noun to "scene" and adjective to "tranquil".

FAQs

How can I use "thing of quiet" in a sentence?

You can use "thing of quiet" to describe an object, place, or situation that embodies calmness or tranquility. For example, "The old library was a "thing of quiet", offering respite from the bustling city."

What can I say instead of "thing of quiet"?

Alternatives include "source of tranquility", "peaceful moment", or "calm object", depending on the context. The best choice will depend on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "thing of quiet" a common expression?

The expression "thing of quiet" isn't very common, but it is grammatically sound and can be found in literary or descriptive writing where a more subtle or poetic tone is desired.

How does "thing of quiet" differ from "quiet thing"?

"Thing of quiet" emphasizes that the object or situation possesses the quality of quiet, while "quiet thing" simply describes something that is quiet without necessarily implying it's a significant or defining characteristic.