he stood still

USAGE SUMMARY

'he stood still' is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to someone who is not moving. Example: He stood still in the corner, looking out of place at the lively gathering.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

He stood still.

The New Yorker

He stood still, looking into the dark.

The New York Times

He stood still by her bed.

The New Yorker

He stood still for a moment after rounding first.

The New York Times - Sports

He stood still as the wall of flame raced toward him.

The New Yorker

By the time he stood still, Johnson had 22 points and 9 rebounds.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

Indeed, he stood stiller than a pillar of salt in the Preakness starting gates.

The Guardian - Sport

He is moving even as he stands still.

The New York Times - Sports

When he stands still, he seems to be posing for a sculptor.

The New Yorker

If he stands still, if he doesn't move a muscle, maybe he can keep it from happening.

The New Yorker

"He's crackling even when he stands still, and he's so comfortable improvising lovely little gestures at any moment".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he stood still" to describe a deliberate or noticeable lack of movement, often to convey a sense of contemplation, defiance, or observation. The phrase works well in narrative contexts where you want to highlight the character's stillness.

Common error

Avoid using "he stood still" too frequently in your writing, as it can become repetitive. Vary your descriptions of stillness with alternatives like "he remained motionless" or "he didn't move" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he stood still" typically functions as a verb phrase within a sentence, describing a state of being or action of remaining stationary. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. It often indicates a deliberate pause or a moment of observation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he stood still" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe a state of immobility. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and offers numerous examples from reliable sources, primarily in news and media. While simple and direct, it effectively conveys a sense of contemplation, observation, or tension in narrative contexts. When using this phrase, consider varying your language to prevent repetition and enhance the overall impact of your writing. Alternatives like "he remained motionless" can add variety without sacrificing clarity. Avoid overuse and tailor your choice to the specific context for the best result.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he remained motionless

Emphasizes the complete lack of movement; more formal.

he was stock-still

Emphasizes complete lack of movement.

he didn't move

A simple and direct way of saying someone didn't move.

he stayed put

Indicates remaining in the same location; slightly more informal.

he froze

Suggests sudden immobility, often due to fear or surprise.

he was stationary

A more formal way of saying someone was not moving.

he halted

Implies a sudden stop.

he paused

Suggests a temporary stop.

he desisted moving

A more elaborate way of expressing the cessation of movement.

he ceased motion

Formal and somewhat archaic way to describe stopping movement.

FAQs

How can I use "he stood still" in a sentence?

You can use "he stood still" to describe a character's lack of movement, often to emphasize a moment of contemplation or tension. For example, "He stood still, watching the sunset."

What can I say instead of "he stood still"?

You can use alternatives like "he remained motionless", "he didn't move", or "he stayed put" depending on the context.

Is "he stood still" grammatically correct?

Yes, "he stood still" is grammatically correct. It follows standard English sentence structure, where "he" is the subject, "stood" is the verb, and "still" is an adverb modifying the verb.

What is the difference between "he stood still" and "he was still"?

"He stood still" emphasizes the act of remaining without movement, while "he was still" describes a state of being. The former focuses on the action of not moving, while the latter describes a condition of stillness.