with silence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "with silence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or action that occurs in the absence of sound or noise. Example: "The room was filled with silence as everyone awaited the announcement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

It resonated with silence.

The New Yorker

I was comfortable with silence".

The New York Times

Silence fills us with silence.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It was met with silence.

Independent

I'm comfortable with silence.

The Guardian - Books

She sticks with silence.

The New York Times

They responded with silence.

The New York Times

Her words were met with silence.

The New York Times - Magazine

The suggestion has been met with silence.

Independent

But I was met with silence.

The New Yorker

He was effectively greeted with silence.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "with silence" to emphasize a deliberate or noticeable lack of sound or response in a particular situation. It's effective when highlighting contrast or creating a specific mood.

Common error

Avoid excessive use of "with silence" in scenes with extensive dialogue. Overusing it can make the writing feel repetitive and unnatural. Opt for more descriptive alternatives to show characters' reactions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "with silence" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to describe the manner in which an action is performed or a situation unfolds. Examples in Ludwig show it describing how a question was answered or a suggestion was received. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Encyclopedias

7%

Science

3%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "with silence" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed prepositional phrase, predominantly found in News & Media contexts. It serves to underscore the absence of sound or response, contributing to a specific atmosphere or highlighting a deliberate lack of communication. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and the examples provided showcase its versatility in various narrative and descriptive settings. When using this phrase, consider the specific nuance you wish to convey, as alternatives like "in silence" or "without a word" may be more appropriate depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in silence

Replaces the preposition "with" with "in", offering a slightly different perspective on the quietness.

without a word

Focuses on the absence of verbal communication, rather than the general lack of sound.

met with quiet

Emphasizes the reception or response being a state of quietness.

greeted with muteness

Highlights the lack of speech in the response.

responded with stillness

Indicates a lack of movement and sound in response.

amidst the quietude

Describes something happening within a quiet or silent environment.

in the hush

Similar to "in silence", but implies a more subdued or expectant quiet.

devoid of sound

Emphasizes the complete absence of any sound.

absent of noise

Highlights the lack of noise as a defining characteristic.

cloaked in quiet

Suggests that something is covered or surrounded by quietness.

FAQs

How can I use "with silence" in a sentence?

You can use "with silence" to describe a reaction or atmosphere, such as "The suggestion was met "with silence"" or "The room resonated "with silence"".

What are some alternatives to "with silence"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "in silence", "without a word", or "met with quiet".

Is it better to say "met with silence" or "answered with silence"?

"Met with silence" typically implies a lack of response to a statement or action, while "answered with silence" suggests a deliberate choice not to reply. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How does the connotation of "with silence" differ from "in silence"?

"With silence" often describes a reaction or surrounding atmosphere, whereas "in silence" tends to describe an action performed quietly. For instance, "He contemplated "in silence"" focuses on his quiet act of contemplation, while "His request was met "with silence"" emphasizes the lack of response.