by still

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by still" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to express a sense of continuity or persistence, but it lacks clarity without additional context. Example: "He remained by still waters, reflecting on his thoughts."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

You might be AMUSED BY still others.

The New York Times

"Like a flute by still water".

The Guardian - Books

The quality is slightly diminished by still acceptable.

The New York Times

Their activity is controlled by still elusive central pattern generators.

Nature

September is flying by – still have plants to get in the garden!

Cornell University

We provide support to our clients by still offering evening and weekend emergencies.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

There will also be works by still-rising stars like Miss Van and Revok.

The New York Times

The downturn is being cushioned by still-strong global growth (see article).

The Economist

The tests will be done by still-undisclosed private analytical services, he says.

Nature

The FBI search of the rubble was hampered by still-exploding rounds of ammunition.

The Guardian

The island is underlain by sedimentary rocks, cut by still-active faults.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "by still" in formal writing. It is often grammatically incorrect and can be replaced with clearer alternatives such as "still", "even now", or "to this day" depending on the intended meaning.

Common error

The error in using "by still" often stems from a misunderstanding of how prepositions function with adverbs. Instead of trying to combine 'by' with 'still', focus on using 'still' as an adverb modifying the verb directly, or rephrase with more appropriate prepositions such as "up until now."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by still" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase where 'by' attempts to modify the adverb 'still'. However, this construction is generally considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig indicates its incorrect usage, despite its presence in some sources.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Academia

31%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

13%

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "by still" appears in various sources, Ludwig flags it as grammatically incorrect. It seems to be an attempt to convey continuity or persistence, but it's better to use alternative phrases. Grammatically sound options include "still", "even now", or "to this day", depending on the context. The phrase is considered inappropriate for formal writing. The sources where it appears are mainly from News & Media, Academia and Science, but this does not validate its usage. Overall, avoid using "by still" in favor of clearer and more grammatically correct alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

still

This is the shortest alternative that captures the sense of continuation, omitting the preposition "by".

even now

This alternative emphasizes that something is happening up to the present moment.

to this day

This emphasizes the continuation of something until the present, often used for events or situations.

yet

Implies that something is still ongoing or has not changed.

as before

Indicates that something remains in the same state as it was previously.

continuously

Focuses on the uninterrupted nature of an action or state.

constantly

Similar to 'continuously' but may suggest a more frequent or repetitive action.

persistently

Highlights the unwavering nature of something despite potential obstacles.

uninterruptedly

Emphasizes that something is happening without any breaks or pauses.

incessantly

Suggests an action happens repeatedly, possibly to an excessive degree.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use "still" in a sentence?

The word "still" can function as an adverb, adjective, or noun. As an adverb, it indicates that something continues to happen or exist. For example, "He is "still working" on the project" or "They are "still available"."

Is there a difference between "still" and "yet"?

"Still" indicates that something is continuing, while "yet" is used to indicate that something hasn't happened but is expected to. For example, "He is still working" means he continues to work. "He isn't finished yet" means he is expected to finish at some point.

What phrases can I use instead of "by still" to indicate continuity?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "even now", "to this day", or simply "still" to convey the intended meaning of continuity or persistence.

When is it appropriate to use "by" with adverbs?

The preposition "by" is typically used with nouns or pronouns to indicate means, agent, or location. It is generally not grammatically correct to directly follow "by" with adverbs like "still." Instead, restructure the sentence for clarity, such as replacing it with "by then" or "by far".