be silent

Meanings

1. 1phraselinking

   To make no sound or say nothing at all.

   Grammar: Links the subject to the adjective silent: The room was silent. Use be, not do, in questions and negatives.

   Patterns

   • be silent about something
   • be silent on something
   • remain silent

   Please be silent while the exam is in progress.

   The whole class was silent when the head teacher walked in.

   He stayed silent about the money he had found.

2. 2phraselinking

   To refuse to speak about something, especially to keep a secret.

   Grammar: Often followed by about or on: They were silent on the details.

   Patterns

   • be silent about something
   • be silent on something

   The company was silent about the reasons for the closure.

   She was silent on the question of who would pay.

Word forms

Common combinations

be silent about something

He was silent about his plans for the weekend.

be silent on something

The report was silent on how much the project cost.

remain silent

You have the right to remain silent.

fall silent

The crowd fell silent as the singer came on stage.

be completely silent

The house was completely silent at midnight.

Synonyms and how they differ

be quiet

More common in everyday speech and usually means 'make less noise', not 'say nothing'.

keep silent

Focuses on continuing not to speak; be silent simply describes the state.

say nothing

A plain verb phrase with the same meaning; it needs no adjective.

Opposites

Word family

silence noun

the state of making no sound or saying nothing

silently adverb

without making any sound

silent adjective

making no sound; not speaking

Commonly confused: be silent or be quite?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “be silent”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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