be still now

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be still now" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it in contexts where you want to ask someone to calm down or stop moving, often in a soothing or commanding manner. Example: "As the storm approached, she whispered to her frightened dog, 'Be still now.'" Alternative expressions include "calm down" and "be quiet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"You be still now," they tell her.

The New Yorker

"You've got to be still now or an atomic bomb will go off," he tells the singers.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The dishes behind are still now, her face is still, and we hear nothing but cicadas.

The Guardian - Film

The 1970s era is still now being uncovered as an era of dark secrets.

The Guardian - Music

But it's still now an official product.

TechCrunch

Nevertheless, many of the underlying philosophical issues dealt with are still now far from settled.

SEP

Lifting the pen from the paper, the drawing machine is still now in Hamnavoe Harbor.

Huffington Post

A standardization of the surgical approach based on all these characteristics is still now lacking.

BMC Geriatrics

And that's still, now, I think, whatever the political climate, that is still the approach that is recognised".

BMC Public Health

No, and I'm still not now".

The Guardian - Music

Lisi was washing the dishes just now, and he is still doing now.

Lingua Sinica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Incorporate the word 'now' to add a sense of immediacy and present-moment focus to the command.

Common error

Do not confuse the command "be still now" with descriptive phrases where 'still' acts as a temporal adverb. For instance, 'The engine is still running now' means the action continues, whereas the query phrase demands a cessation of movement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be still now" functions as an imperative sentence fragment or a verb phrase used to issue a command or request. According to Ludwig, it utilizes the base form of the verb 'be' to establish a required state of immobility or silence.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Narrative Literature

20%

General Dialogue

15%

Less common in

Academic Science

5%

Legal Documents

1%

Technical Manuals

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

Ludwig AI indicates that "be still now" is a perfectly valid and grammatically correct imperative phrase. It is most effectively used in creative writing and storytelling to command attention or provide comfort. While the exact phrase is Rare in frequency compared to similar constructions like "<a href="/s/stay+still" target="_blank" rel="alternative">stay still", it maintains a high degree of authority through its presence in elite publications like The New Yorker. Ludwig AI suggests using it when a speaker requires immediate physical or emotional quietness from an interlocutor.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hold still

Focuses specifically on physical immobility rather than emotional calmness.

keep still

Implies maintaining a current state of immobility for a longer duration.

don't move

A direct, often more urgent command to halt all physical activity.

remain motionless

A more formal and clinical way to describe the absence of movement.

stay quiet

Prioritizes silence over the lack of physical movement.

be quiet

Exclusively requests the cessation of noise or speech.

hush now

A gentler, often soothing request for silence and peace.

calm down

Addresses the emotional agitation that might cause someone to move or speak.

stay calm

Focuses on maintaining a specific psychological state rather than physical positioning.

settle down

Suggests a transition from an active or chaotic state to a peaceful one.

FAQs

How do I use "be still now" in a sentence?

You can use it as a direct command to someone who is moving or being loud, such as: "Be still now, and let the doctor examine you."

What can I say instead of "be still now"?

You can use alternatives like "<a href="/s/hold+still" target="_blank" rel="alternative">hold still", "<a href="/s/keep+still" target="_blank" rel="alternative">keep still" or "<a href="/s/don't+move" target="_blank" rel="alternative">don't move" depending on the context.

What is the difference between "be still now" and "calm down"?

"Be still now" primarily focuses on the physical act of not moving, whereas "<a href="/s/calm+down" target="_blank" rel="alternative">calm down" addresses the person's emotional state or level of excitement.

Is "be still now" formal or informal?

It is generally considered neutral to informal. It is common in literature and speech but rarely used in technical or academic reporting unless quoting dialogue.