grow still

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "grow still" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe something becoming quiet or still. Example: As the sun set, the birds began to grow still in the trees.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

In 2005, the tally is expected to grow still further.

The Economist

They grow still, as do we the audience.

The Times

Grace fills the clean mold of this moment and all the shuffling magazines grow still.

The New York Times

I grow still and breathe as though I have not wakened.

The New Yorker

And from such an effort there might grow still more nuclear-age openness and international collaboration.

The New York Times

If anything, the observances have been expanding and are likely to grow still more in 2011, the centennial year.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

Kim suddenly grew still.

The New Yorker

She grew still.

The New Yorker

Dario grew still.

The New Yorker

The audience grew still.

The New York Times

("The room grew still," she said).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "grow still" to evoke a sense of quietness that develops gradually. This phrase works well in descriptive writing to illustrate a scene or emotional state evolving into stillness.

Common error

Avoid using "grow still" when you simply mean to stop an action abruptly. The phrase implies a gradual transition to a state of stillness, not a sudden halt.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grow still" primarily functions as a verb phrase, where "grow" acts as a linking verb connecting the subject to the adjective "still". Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is correct and usable in English. The phrase describes a process of transition.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Arts

8%

Lifestyle

3%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

27%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "grow still" is a versatile and grammatically correct expression used to describe a gradual transition into a state of quiet or motionlessness. Ludwig AI validates its proper usage. Its applications span across various writing contexts, particularly within news, media, arts, and lifestyle publications. While "grow still" carries a neutral register, it provides an evocative and descriptive means of portraying a change in state. Related phrases like "become quiet" or "fall silent" offer alternatives with slight differences in nuance. When using "grow still", it's important to consider its connotation of gradual change and avoid using it to describe abrupt actions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become still

A direct synonym, interchanging "grow" with "become" maintains the core meaning.

grow silent

Mirrors the structure of "grow still" but focuses specifically on auditory quiet.

become motionless

Emphasizes the complete absence of movement.

become quiet

Emphasizes the transition to a state of quietness or silence.

fall silent

Highlights a sudden or abrupt shift into silence.

quiet down

Suggests a reduction in noise or activity, leading to stillness.

calm down

Implies a reduction in agitation or excitement, resulting in a calmer state.

settle down

Conveys a sense of becoming stable, composed, and less active.

cease moving

Focuses on the cessation of physical movement rather than an emotional state.

hold still

A command or request to remain without moving.

FAQs

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

You can use "grow still" to describe a gradual transition to a state of quiet or motionlessness. For example, "As the music faded, the audience began to "grow still"".

What does "grow still" mean?

"Grow still" means to gradually become quiet, calm, or motionless. It suggests a transition from a state of activity to one of inactivity or silence.

What can I say instead of "grow still"?

You can use alternatives like "become quiet", "fall silent", or "become still" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "grew still" or "grow still"?

Both "grew still" and "grow still" are correct, depending on the tense you want to use. "Grow still" is the present tense, while "grew still" is the past tense.