he remained motionless

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he remained motionless" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is not moving or is still, often in a context of suspense or observation. Example: "As the storm raged outside, he remained motionless, listening to the howling wind."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

He remained motionless for a few minutes.

The New York Times

Pacioretty's head struck a padded metal stanchion at the end of the bench area, knocking him to the ice, where he remained motionless for several minutes before being taken to a Montreal hospital.

The New York Times - Sports

He remained motionless, staring intently at the ceiling.

Vice

He remained motionless on the ice for a few minutes before being helped to his feet.

Huffington Post

The experimenter stopped 10 m away from the bird where he remained motionless for 1 min (to standardize the approach and mimick a standing observer at the edge of the colony) while dictating observations on the behaviour of the subject, then subsequently retreated at a constant speed.

BMC Ecology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Ai Weiwei encouraged viewers to walk on porcelain sunflower seeds, and Marina Abramovic invited viewers to sit across from her while she remained motionless.

Encyclopedia Britannica

As the heat was run she remained motionless for several minutes, clearly distressed, before walking slowly out of the stadium.

BBC

As the heat was run she remained motionless for several minutes, clearly distressed, before walking slowly out of the stadium in tears.

BBC

Otherwise, Mr. Blaine remained motionless until he heard he'd hit 16 minutes.

The New York Times - Science

His avant-garde works range from Duet (1957), in which he and his partner remained motionless for four minutes, to Orbs (1966), an hour-long composition to Beethoven's last string quartets.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Oakland eventually achieved intromission while Baez remained motionless, then he lowered his chin to her shoulders, and even groomed her back with his tongue.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he remained motionless" to describe a deliberate or observed stillness, especially when you want to create a sense of suspense or careful observation in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "he remained motionless" in situations that naturally imply action or change. This phrase is best suited for emphasizing a lack of movement, not describing dynamic events.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he remained motionless" functions as a descriptive phrase, specifically indicating a state of being for a male subject. It serves to describe the subject's lack of movement, emphasizing stillness. Ludwig AI confirms that this is correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "he remained motionless" is a grammatically sound and usable expression to denote a state of stillness or lack of movement. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides various examples across news, scientific, and encyclopedic sources. While slightly formal due to the word "remained", the phrase is generally neutral in tone. It is best used to emphasize a deliberate stillness, create suspense, or highlight a character's reaction. Alternatives like "he stayed still" or "he stood frozen" can be used for a more casual tone, as determined by the Ludwig examples.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he stayed still

Replaces "remained motionless" with a simpler, more common expression. Meaning is virtually identical.

he stood frozen

Emphasizes the suddenness and rigidity of the immobility. Slightly more dramatic.

he didn't move

A straightforward and direct way of expressing the lack of movement.

he was stock-still

Adds emphasis to the complete lack of movement, suggesting a statue-like quality.

he was as still as a statue

Uses a simile to highlight the absolute stillness, creating a more vivid image.

he ceased all movement

More formal and emphasizes the act of stopping any motion.

he froze in place

Highlights an abrupt stop to movement; suggests surprise or fear.

he became immobile

More formal and clinical, suggesting a state of being unable to move.

he stood like a rock

Emphasizes firmness and resistance to movement, suggesting strength.

he was paralyzed

Implies an inability to move, often due to fear or shock. Stronger connotation.

FAQs

What does "he remained motionless" mean?

The phrase "he remained motionless" means that a male person stayed completely still, without any movement.

What are some synonyms for "he remained motionless"?

Alternatives include "he stayed still", "he stood frozen", or "he didn't move", each carrying slightly different nuances.

How can I use "he remained motionless" in a sentence?

You might say, "After hearing the strange noise, he remained motionless, listening intently" or "Injured on the field, he remained motionless until help arrived".

Is "he remained motionless" formal or informal?

The phrase is relatively neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though it leans slightly towards formal writing due to the use of "remained".