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Angliholic Posted 19 years ago
Grammar

fell/became silent

All the students fell silent when the teacher appeared.

All the students became silent when the teacher appeared.

I wonder if there are slight shades in meanings between the above two statements. Thanks.
  

Top answer

Hi, All the students fell silent when the teacher appeared. Sounds much more literary. Much less common.

— Clive

  • Hi, All the students fell silent when the teacher appeared.
  • Sounds much more literary.
  • Much less common.
  • All the students became silent when the teacher appeared.
  • I wonder if there are slight shades in meanings between the above two statements.
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5 Answers
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Hi,

All the students fell silent when the teacher appeared. Sounds much more literary. Sounds abrupt.Much less common.

All the students became silent when the teacher appeared.

I wonder if there are slight shades in meanings between the above two statements.

In practic
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Normally, you associate "fell silent" with a tragic event or to announce the end of a war.
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Thanks, Clive and Jain, for your replies.
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Neeraj JainNormally, you associate "fell silent" with a tragic event or to announce the end of a war.
I don't see it that way. Anything surprising would enter in that category.
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Marius Hancu
Neeraj JainNormally, you associate "fell silent" with a tragic event or to announce the end of a war.
I don't see it that way. Anything surprising would enter in that category.
I agree. I think 'fell' emphasizes how suddenly it happend.
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