in silence
Doing something quietly
Use “in silence” to describe actions without speaking.
The family ate in silence.
She stared out the window in silence.
Using in silence and of silence
“In silence” is a common expression meaning without speaking. “Of silence” is used in more specific structures such as “a moment of silence” or literary descriptions.
Quick answer
In silence or of silence?
Use “in silence” when people are quiet or do something without speaking. Use “of silence” when silence describes another noun, such as “a period of silence” or “the sound of silence.”
They waited in silence.
We observed a moment of silence.
The class listened in silence.
We observed a moment of silence.
The class listened in silence.
Choose the pattern by meaning
These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.
moment of silence
Referring to a quiet period
Use “of silence” when silence describes a period, atmosphere, or quality.
The crowd held a moment of silence for the victims.
sound of silence
Using silence as a descriptive noun
“Of silence” often appears after another noun in descriptive phrases.
He wrote about the sound of silence in the mountains.
See the difference in context
The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.
Construction
Example
Meaning
in silence
The passengers sat in silence.
without speaking
of silence
After hours of silence, she finally replied.
silence describing another noun
silence in
There was silence in the hall.
silence located in a place
silence of
The silence of the forest felt peaceful.
silence belonging to or associated with something
Common mistakes
Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.
Using of silence instead of in silence for quiet actions
Use “in silence” when describing how someone acts.
✕ They walked of silence. ✓ They walked in silence.Confusing fixed expressions
Certain phrases naturally use “of silence.”
✕ We observed a moment in silence. ✓ We observed a moment of silence.Quick practice
Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.
1. The students listened ___ during the ceremony.
2. The city held a moment ___ after the tragedy.
3. After a long period ___, he spoke again.
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Frequently asked questions
Is “in silence” a common expression?
Yes. It is the standard way to describe quiet behaviour.
Can “of silence” be correct?
Yes. It appears in phrases like “moment of silence” and “period of silence.”
Can I say “sit of silence”?
No. Use “sit in silence” for actions done quietly.
Related preposition guides
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