completely still

USAGE SUMMARY

"completely still" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is not moving at all. Example sentence: The lake was completely still, reflecting the peaceful landscape and creating a mirror-like effect.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It's completely still at night.

The New York Times

It is crucial she remains completely still.

The Guardian

The air is completely still now.

The Guardian - Books

As Jerome touches her, Calliope remains completely still.

The New Yorker

People have to hold completely still, like mannequins.

The Guardian

The victims tried their best to remain completely still.

The Guardian

Ravitch waited for Gerda to say something, anything, about him, but she was completely still.

The New Yorker

"They stay completely still while the predator is around them," Mr. Kempster said.

The New York Times - Science

I stood there completely still, watching, and my tears wouldn't stop.

The New York Times - Travel

Paranormal Activity was mainly about people standing completely still for long periods of time.

The Guardian - Film

It is perhaps multidirectional, or maybe completely still, moving away only from your comfort zone.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "completely still" to vividly describe a scene or object lacking any movement, enhancing the reader's sense of tranquility or suspense.

Common error

Avoid using other adjectives that already imply stillness, such as "perfectly completely still", as this creates redundancy. "Completely still" is sufficient on its own.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "completely still" is to act as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun or pronoun. As seen in the Ludwig examples, it describes a state of being without any movement. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

17%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "completely still" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjectival phrase that effectively conveys a state of absolute stillness. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and common expression. Predominantly found in News & Media, Science and Academia, its primary function is to vividly describe a lack of movement, serving purposes ranging from creating serene imagery to emphasizing observation in scientific contexts. When employing this phrase, it's best to avoid redundancy by not pairing it with other adjectives that imply stillness. For alternative expressions, consider "perfectly motionless", "utterly unmoving", or "absolutely stationary".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

perfectly motionless

Emphasizes the absence of any movement, highlighting a state of absolute stillness.

utterly unmoving

Focuses on the lack of motion, suggesting a complete absence of change in position.

absolutely stationary

Highlights the fixed position of something, emphasizing the lack of movement.

entirely quiescent

Emphasizes the absence of activity or disturbance, suggesting a state of restfulness.

totally inactive

Focuses on the lack of activity, emphasizing the absence of any action or movement.

completely static

Highlights the unchanging nature of something, emphasizing the absence of movement or change.

perfectly at rest

Emphasizes a state of calmness and lack of motion, suggesting a peaceful stillness.

absolutely inert

Focuses on the lack of power or ability to move, suggesting a state of lifeless stillness.

entirely immobilised

Highlights the state of being unable to move, often due to external forces or conditions.

fully stabilised

Emphasizes the condition of being steady and preventing unwanted motion.

FAQs

How can I use "completely still" in a sentence?

You can use "completely still" to describe a state of absolute stillness or lack of movement. For example: "The lake was "completely still", reflecting the sky above."

What are some alternatives to "completely still"?

Alternatives include "perfectly motionless", "utterly unmoving", or "absolutely stationary". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "completely still" grammatically correct?

Yes, "completely still" is grammatically correct. It combines an adverb ("completely") with an adjective ("still") to modify a noun or pronoun, describing a state of being without movement.

What's the difference between "completely still" and "perfectly still"?

While both phrases indicate a lack of movement, "completely still" emphasizes the total absence of motion, whereas "perfectly still" can also imply a sense of balance or ideal stillness.