went quiet

USAGE SUMMARY

"went quiet" is an acceptable and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when someone or something becomes quiet. For example: "As soon as they heard the news, the entire classroom went quiet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Shen Ning went quiet.

The New Yorker

He went quiet.

The New York Times

The group went quiet.

The New York Times

The world went quiet.

The New York Times

The crowds went quiet.

The Guardian - Sport

Suddenly, it went quiet.

The Guardian

Frieze went quiet.

The Guardian - Arts

Then they went quiet".

The New Yorker

They just went quiet.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Then things went quieter.

Independent

The floor goes quiet.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "went quiet" to describe a scene where noise diminishes or ceases entirely, creating a sense of anticipation, shock, or reflection. It's effective for setting a specific mood.

Common error

Avoid using "went quiet" to describe something that was never noisy to begin with. This phrase is best used when there's a noticeable transition from sound to silence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "went quiet" functions as a verb phrase indicating a change of state. It describes the action of something or someone becoming quiet. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with numerous examples demonstrating its common occurrence in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "went quiet" is a very common and grammatically correct way to describe a transition to a state of silence or reduced noise. Ludwig AI confirms that it is widely used across diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media. While its register is generally neutral, making it appropriate for various settings, you should avoid using it where something wasn't noisy in the first place. Consider alternatives like "became silent" or "quieted down" for specific nuances. By understanding its function and purpose, you can effectively use "went quiet" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

became silent

Focuses on the absence of speech, applicable to individuals or groups.

fell silent

Emphasizes the suddenness of the silence.

quieted down

Suggests a gradual reduction in noise level.

became hushed

Implies a subdued and expectant silence.

the sound ceased

Formally indicates the end of auditory input.

silence descended

Conveys a sense of the silence taking over.

stopped talking

Specifically refers to the act of ceasing to speak.

became inaudible

Highlights that the sound is no longer perceptible.

the noise abated

Indicates that the disturbance diminished

lost its sound

Focuses on the loss of sound instead of becoming quiet

FAQs

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

You can use "went quiet" to describe a sudden decrease in noise or activity, such as "The room "went quiet" when the teacher entered" or "After the storm, the city "went quiet"."

What are some alternatives to saying "went quiet"?

Instead of "went quiet", you could use phrases like "became silent", "fell silent", or "quieted down", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "gone quiet" instead of "went quiet"?

Both "went quiet" and "gone quiet" can be grammatically correct, but they have slightly different implications. "Went quiet" describes a past action of becoming quiet, while "gone quiet" suggests a state of being quiet that continues from the past into the present.

What's the difference between "went silent" and "went quiet"?

"Went silent" typically implies a complete absence of speech or sound, often used to describe people. "Went quiet" is broader and can apply to environments or situations where general noise levels decrease. So, "went silent" usually focuses on a lack of voice, while "went quiet" is about a reduction in overall noise.