have been still

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been still" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express a state of stillness that has continued for a period of time. Example: The river has been still for the past three days.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Roche's Triple Crown should have been still born.

The Guardian - Sport

Without it, the situation would have been still more dismal.

The Guardian - Opinion

Had it been even smaller, the exhibition would have been still more powerful.

The New York Times - Arts

What we have been still lurks ��� and even more so within.

The Guardian - Books

Polymorphously perverse it may have been, still it all sounds like it was a blast.

The New York Times - Books

"In the annals of history, most of the robins have been still, waiting.

The Guardian - Sport

The Prussians, had they caught him, would have been still less considerate of the great man's dignity.

The Economist

But for international intervention, their defeat would have been still worse; the Egyptian army would have been annihilated.

The New York Times - Books

"As long as it wasn't swelling up the way it is now, I would have been still playing.

The New York Times - Sports

Winnie might have been still more anxious about her daughter's love life, which was already impressively active.

The Guardian - Books

Already thin women and men have been, still are, and probably always will be, Photoshopped to appear more skinny, more toned, less 'curvy'; flawless.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have been still" to emphasize a continuing state, especially when contrasting it with a previous or expected change. For instance, "Despite the storm, the lake have been still."

Common error

Avoid using "have been still" when a simpler construction like "are still" or "remain" conveys the same meaning more concisely. For example, instead of "The documents have been still under review", consider "The documents are still under review".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been still" typically functions as part of a verb phrase, indicating a state of being that has persisted over time. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. It describes something that was in a particular state and continues to be in that state.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

32%

Books

7%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Huffington Post

2%

Forbes

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have been still" is a grammatically sound and frequently used construction in English, as verified by Ludwig AI. It functions as part of a verb phrase to emphasize the continuation of a particular state over time. While simpler alternatives like "are still" or "remain" may sometimes be more concise, "have been still" can be particularly effective when highlighting the duration or persistence of the state. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, from news and media to scientific writing. Remember to use it when emphasizing that a state has remained unchanged, contrasting it with potential or expected changes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are still

This alternative is a shorter and more direct way to express the continuation of a state or action.

remain

This alternative replaces the auxiliary verb "have been" with a single verb, providing a more concise expression of a persisting state.

have remained

This alternative uses "remained" to indicate a state that has persisted over time.

persist

This alternative emphasizes the enduring quality of a condition or situation.

continue to be

This alternative adds emphasis to the ongoing nature of the state.

have persisted

This alternative highlights the continuous and enduring nature of something.

are consistently

This alternative emphasizes a state that occurs regularly and predictably.

continue

This alternative emphasizes the ongoing nature of a state or activity without explicitly stating it "still" exists.

are as yet

This alternative emphasizes that something is true up until the present moment.

have always been

This alternative emphasizes that something has been that way since the beginning and remains so.

FAQs

How can I use "have been still" in a sentence?

Use "have been still" to describe a situation or state that has remained unchanged over a period. For example, "Despite the commotion, the water "have been still"."

What are some alternatives to "have been still"?

Alternatives include "are still", "remain", or "continue to be" depending on the specific context.

Is it always necessary to use "have been still", or are simpler options preferable?

While grammatically correct, "have been still" can sometimes be replaced by more concise options like "are still" or "remain", which can improve clarity.

What's the difference between "have been still" and "are still"?

"Have been still" emphasizes the duration of the unchanged state, while "are still" is a more general statement about the current, continuing state. The choice depends on whether the duration is a key aspect of the message.