# remain silent

CEFR B2 · Fixed phrase

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/remain-silent
Updated: 2026-07-28

## Definition

to stay quiet and not say anything, especially when you are in a difficult situation or being questioned by the police.

For teachers: to refrain from speaking or providing information. Often carries a legal or formal pragmatic weight, specifically referring to a suspect's right to avoid self-incrimination during an interrogation.

## Examples

- You have the right to remain silent.
- During the meeting, he chose to remain silent rather than argue with his boss.
- The defendant was advised by his counsel to remain silent throughout the preliminary hearing to avoid any potential misinterpretation of his testimony.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He remained silently during the interview." but "He remained silent during the interview." — the verb 'remain' is a linking verb and must be followed by an adjective, not an adverb.

## Usage notes

- frequently used in legal contexts or to describe a deliberate choice not to speak in a social setting.
- Teaching tip: highlight the 'right to remain silent' as a cultural and legal touchstone in English-speaking countries; contrast with 'keep quiet' which is more common in everyday domestic life.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.