at rest

USAGE SUMMARY

"at rest" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a person or object that is not moving. For example: "The sofa and its occupants were at rest after a long day of activities."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

An object at rest stays at rest.

The New York Times

At rest stop no.

University of California, Berkeley

At rest go gentle.

The New York Times

Let me put your mind at rest.

The New Yorker

Kossoff's tree is not at rest.

Independent

Bad posture when at rest.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

It cannot be at rest.

Yale University

Responses obtained at rest were highly invariant.

Brain Research

were at rest, identified, blessed.

The Guardian - Books

The symptoms disappear at rest.

The New York Times - Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

at-rest earth pressure coefficient.

International Journal of Geo-Engineering

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a scientific experiment, use "at rest" to clearly indicate the initial condition of an object or system before any force or action is applied.

Common error

Avoid using "at rest" when you actually mean "at peace", especially in contexts related to death or emotional tranquility. "At rest" primarily indicates a lack of physical movement, while "at peace" describes a state of serenity or resolution.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at rest" functions primarily as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to describe its state of being motionless or inactive. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

34%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "at rest" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a state of inactivity or stillness. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's widely used across various fields, particularly in science, news, and academic writing. While generally neutral to formal, it's essential to distinguish its meaning from similar phrases like "at peace". Remember to use "at rest" when you specifically want to indicate a lack of physical movement or change.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

motionless

This term directly describes the absence of movement.

stationary

Similar to motionless, this word emphasizes the lack of movement or change in position.

in a static state

This phrase highlights the lack of change over time.

not in motion

This is a straightforward negation of movement.

in repose

This suggests a state of calmness and relaxation, often used in more formal contexts.

still

This term indicates a lack of movement or disturbance.

dormant

This implies a state of inactivity, often with the potential for future activity.

quiescent

Similar to dormant, this suggests a temporary period of inactivity or rest.

idle

This suggests inactivity, often implying a lack of purpose or use.

settled

This indicates a state of being calm and undisturbed after some prior activity.

FAQs

How is "at rest" used in physics?

In physics, "at rest" describes an object that is not moving relative to a specific frame of reference. For instance, Newton's first law states that an object "at rest" stays at rest unless acted upon by an external force.

What's the difference between "at rest" and "at ease"?

"At rest" refers to a state of physical stillness or inactivity, while "at ease" describes a state of comfort, relaxation, or lack of worry. They are used in different contexts.

Can "at rest" be used metaphorically?

Yes, "at rest" can be used metaphorically to describe something that is not actively changing or developing. For example, "The matter is currently "at rest", awaiting further investigation."

What are some synonyms for "at rest"?

Synonyms for "at rest" include "motionless", "stationary", "idle", and "in repose", depending on the specific context.