Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
frozen to the trace
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "frozen to the trace" is not a standard expression in written English and may not be widely understood.
It could be used in a context where something is immobilized or stuck in a specific position, but clarity may be lacking without additional context. Example: "The horse was frozen to the trace, unable to move forward despite the urging of its rider."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
Science
News & Media
Wiki
Alternative expressions(20)
transfixed
frozen to the stone
frozen to the lab
frozen to the time
paralyzed with fear
petrified
stock-still
immobilized
frozen to the grass
frozen to the parking
at a standstill
frozen to the toilet
frozen to the manufacturing
frozen to the floor
rooted to the ground
frozen to the kitchen
frozen to the ground
stuck in place
unable to move
frozen to the spot
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
1 human-written examples
Samples were processed and shipped frozen to the trace metal facility at the University of California, Santa Cruz, for measurement of plasma lead using ultra-clean methods detailed elsewhere (Hernandez-Avila et al. 1998; Smith et al. 1998).
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
58 human-written examples
dCA1 showed no deficit for retention of conditioned fear to the tone or the trace when tested 48 h post-acquisition, whereas vCA1 did show a significant deficit for the trace interval and a slight, non-significant reduction in freezing to the tone, when compared to the control group (p < .05).05
She froze to the spot.
News & Media
refers to the trace operator.
Freezing something to the touch.
Wiki
Thus, it could be expected that naturally-occurring phenotypic variation in freezing tolerance could be related to polymorphisms present in the CBF genes and their promoter regions, and that in particular the inability to withstand freezing might be traced back to deleterious polymorphisms in these genes.
Science
The final precipitate was collected and freeze dried to remove trace amounts of water, giving a dry, white powder.
Science
To compare the three computer programs for vector trimming, in addition to the ABRC ESTs, trace data in SCF format for ESTs were retrieved from Trace Archive at NCBI (June-12-2007 freeze) through the web interface.
Science
The resultant residue was freeze-dried to remove traces of alcohol.
Because they are stateless, they cannot be taxed, frozen or easily traced.
News & Media
Fractions containing Fe3+-reducing activity were pooled, dried in a rotary evaporator, and freeze-dried to remove traces of trifluoroacetic acid.
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Due to the uncommon nature of the phrase "frozen to the trace", consider rephrasing for clarity. Using more common alternatives like "immobilized" or "stuck" can improve understanding.
Common error
The phrase "frozen to the trace" isn't widely recognized, leading to potential misinterpretations. Ensure the context provides sufficient clues or consider a more explicit description to avoid confusion.
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The function of the phrase "frozen to the trace" is not well-defined due to its uncommon usage. Based on the examples provided by Ludwig, it could potentially describe a state of being immobilized or directly linked to a specific marker or data point (the "trace"). However, this remains ambiguous.
Frequent in
Science
33%
News & Media
33%
Wiki
33%
Less common in
Formal & Business
0%
Reference
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "frozen to the trace" is an uncommon expression, as noted by Ludwig, and its meaning can be unclear without sufficient context. While it could potentially describe a state of immobility or a connection to a specific trace element, more common alternatives like "immobilized" or "stuck" are often preferable for clarity. When using "frozen to the trace", ensure that the context provides sufficient clues to its intended meaning, especially in technical or scientific writing. The phrase appears infrequently across various source categories, suggesting its limited adoption in mainstream communication.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
immobilized in place
Focuses on the state of being unable to move, highlighting the lack of motion.
stuck fast
Emphasizes the difficulty or impossibility of moving from a current position.
motionless and fixed
Highlights both the absence of movement and the permanence of the position.
unable to move
States directly the inability to change location or posture.
frozen solid
Implies immobility due to being frozen.
trace and freeze assets
Specifically refers to the legal or financial action of locating and then freezing assets.
identify and freeze funds
Highlights identifying and then immobilizing financial resources.
locate and seize holdings
Focuses on finding and taking control of possessions.
track and block transactions
Emphasizes monitoring and preventing financial operations.
unmoving and unyielding
Describing something that doesn't move or change.
FAQs
What does "frozen to the trace" mean?
The phrase "frozen to the trace" is not a standard English expression. It might describe a situation where something is stuck or immobilized in relation to a trace, but the meaning is unclear without context. Consider using more common phrases like "stuck in place" or "immobilized".
What can I say instead of "frozen to the trace"?
Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "immobilized in place", "stuck fast", or "motionless and fixed".
Is "frozen to the trace" grammatically correct?
The grammatical correctness of "frozen to the trace" is debatable. While grammatically structured, its uncommon usage makes it sound awkward and potentially incorrect in many contexts.
In what situations might I use "frozen to the trace"?
While rare, you might use "frozen to the trace" in specialized contexts such as scientific research or technical writing where "trace" has a specific meaning. However, ensure clarity by providing sufficient context or defining "trace" within your writing.
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested