Common Mistakes : Calm

noun

.BAD: You need calm and quiet to digest your lunch properly
.GOOD: You need peace and quiet to digest your lunch properly

: Peace and quiet is a fixed phrase
.It’s impossible to find peace and quiet in a house full of children

adjective

.BAD: If you prefer a calm environment, try the countryside
.GOOD: If you prefer a peaceful environment, try the countryside

.BAD: Go and find somewhere calm and get some rest
.GOOD: Go and find somewhere quiet and get some rest

.BAD: What you need is a calm holiday somewhere
.GOOD: What you need is a quiet and relaxing holiday somewhere

Calm is usually used to describe situations where there has recently been violence or noisy activity
After yesterday’s fighting, the streets of Jerusalem are reported to be calm again this morning

.DUBIOUS: My best friend Nick is very calm and never gets upset
.GOOD: My best friend Nick is very easygoing and never gets upset

 :Calm is usually used to describe how someone behaves in a difficult situation
.The boat was being tossed by the waves but we managed to stay calm

To describe someone who has a relaxed attitude to life, use words such as easygoing, placid, laid-back (informal), patient, tolerant

.DUBIOUS: I fastened my seat belt and tried to be calm
.GOOD: I fastened my seat belt and tried to stay calm

When you are talking about someone’s behaviour in an emergency or unpleasant situation, use keep/stay/remain calm
.In the event of fire, leave the building by the nearest exit and remain calm

.Compare: For the first two days the sea was perfectly calm