be quiet

Meaning

This phrase is used to ask someone to stop talking or making noise. Depending on the tone of voice, it can be a polite request, a gentle reminder, or a firm command. It is commonly used in classrooms, libraries, or when someone is trying to concentrate.

Examples

• Please be quiet; the baby is sleeping.

  Please be quiet; the baby is sleeping.

• We need to be quiet in the library.

  We need to be quiet in the library.

• Could you be quiet for a moment? I'm on the phone.

  Could you be quiet for a moment? I'm on the phone.

• The teacher told the students to be quiet and sit down.

  The teacher told the students to be quiet and sit down.

• I tried to be quiet when I came home late last night.

  I tried to be quiet when I came home late last night.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ Please make quiet.

  ✓ Please be quiet.

  In English, we use the verb 'be' with the adjective 'quiet', not the verb 'make'.

• ✗ You need to be quite.

  ✓ You need to be quiet.

  'Quite' is an adverb meaning 'very' or 'completely'. 'Quiet' is the adjective meaning making little or no noise.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Please ___! I am trying to study for my exam.

  💡 Ask someone to stop making noise using 'be'.

  Show answer

  be quiet

• The movie is starting, so we should ___.

  💡 Stop talking because the film is beginning.

  Show answer

  be quiet