had not still

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had not still" is not grammatically correct or commonly used in written English.
A more suitable phrase to use would be "had not yet" or "still had not." Here is an example of how the phrase could be adjusted and used correctly in a sentence: Incorrect: I had not still finished my homework when my friend called me to go out. Correct: I still had not finished my homework when my friend called me to go out.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

If the mud had not still been ridged hard by the ice of the night, I might have struggled.

The Guardian - Travel

Since they would have gained abnormal bonuses had they made abnormal profits it seemed unfair, since they had not, still to deny them the bonuses.

The Guardian - Opinion

2003 2004 was a transition period when some few organisational measures were already occurring (e.g. appointing a dedicated medical coordinator in the ED) but the full dedicated team had not still been created.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The response analysis and parametric analysis of these sandwich structures under moving loads have not still understood comprehensively.

Thin-Walled Structures

If I haven't still got it, I'll pack it in".

Independent

"The phone call, I haven't still got," he said.

BBC

The recommendations haven't still been implemented.

Vice

At dark, she still had not returned.

The New Yorker

The ship still had not moved.

The New Yorker

She still had not prayed.

Los Angeles Times

Still, I had not expected fur.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "had not still" in formal writing. Opt for grammatically correct alternatives such as "still had not" or "had not yet" to ensure clarity and correctness.

Common error

The most common mistake is placing "still" between "had" and "not". Remember to place "still" before "had" ("still had not") or replace it with "yet" ("had not yet") for grammatical accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had not still" functions as a verb phrase aiming to express negation and continuation up to a certain point in time. However, the word order is unconventional, as Ludwig AI confirms, making it grammatically incorrect in standard English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had not still" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in modern English. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment, suggesting that more appropriate alternatives include "still had not" or "had not yet". While it may occasionally appear in informal contexts, it is best to avoid using "had not still" in formal writing. Pay close attention to word order and opt for grammatically sound alternatives to ensure clarity and accuracy in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

still had not

Reorders the words, placing "still" before "had", which is grammatically correct and more common.

had not yet

Replaces "still" with "yet", creating a grammatically correct and commonly used alternative.

hadn't still

Uses a contraction, but the word order remains grammatically unusual.

still hadn't

Combines the contraction with the corrected word order, resulting in a common and correct phrase.

did not still have

Adds emphasis by using "did not", but the word "still" is placed incorrectly.

did not yet have

Corrects the grammar by using "yet" instead of "still" with "did not have".

hadn't managed to

Replaces the entire phrase with a different construction to indicate a lack of accomplishment.

had been unable to

Similar to "hadn't managed to", indicating an inability to do something.

remained undone

Uses a passive construction to express that something was not completed.

was still pending

Indicates that something was waiting to be completed or resolved.

FAQs

Why is "had not still" considered grammatically incorrect?

In standard English, adverbs like "still" typically precede the auxiliary verb (in this case, "had") when forming negative constructions. The correct word order would be "still had not" or using "yet" like in the phrase "had not yet".

What are some alternatives to "had not still" that are grammatically correct?

Some grammatically correct alternatives include "still had not", "had not yet", or "still hadn't". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How does the meaning change when using "still had not" instead of "had not still"?

Using "still had not" doesn't change the core meaning but corrects the grammar. It emphasizes that something was expected to happen before a certain point but didn't. The phrase "had not yet" conveys a similar meaning with correct grammar.

Is "had not still" ever acceptable in any context?

While "had not still" might appear in very informal or non-standard dialects, it is generally best to avoid it in formal or professional writing. Stick to more accepted phrases like "still had not" or "had not yet" to ensure clarity and credibility.