how it stayed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "how it stayed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the condition or state of something over a period of time. Example: "I was surprised by how it stayed intact despite the rough handling."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

And that's how it stayed.

The New York Times

And this is how it stayed.

The New York Times - Books

"Otherwise I have no idea how it stayed alive".

The New York Times

She remembered having saved a seat for him on the bus, and how it stayed empty.

The New Yorker

That is how it stayed until this year, when Brooklyn Phil and city leaders decided to get the Phil Campbell band back together to coincide with the hoedown.

The New York Times

Examining drawings of the shallow and inexpertly designed truss, the architect said, "We don't know how it stayed up at all".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

How the brain begins is how it stays.

Harvard University

Like how it stays super quiet when you're watching "This Is Us".

The New Yorker

Like Daniel Burnham's Flatiron building in New York, so narrow, so fragile, you cannot imagine how it stays upright.

The Guardian

I wouldn't argue it's my favorite logo, but you can see how it stays within the brand and maintains an identity with the fan base.

The New York Times

I think there are a host of reasons: first is the impact of inertia – this is how it's always been done, therefore this is how it stays.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the nuance you want to convey. "How it stayed" implies a sense of surprise or perhaps resilience, depending on the context.

Common error

Avoid using "how it stayed" when the continuation of a state is expected or unremarkable. Choose a more neutral phrasing if there's no element of surprise or unexpected persistence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how it stayed" functions as a relative clause, often introducing a statement about the manner in which something maintained a certain condition or state. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its correct and usable form in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "how it stayed" is a grammatically sound and usable relative clause that expresses curiosity or surprise about the continuation of a condition. Ludwig AI indicates that it's correct, although not exceedingly common. It is most frequently found in News & Media, and less so in more technical or academic contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure the context makes it abundantly clear what 'it' refers to in order to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

how it remained

Replaces "stayed" with "remained", emphasizing the continuation of a state.

how it persisted

Substitutes "stayed" with "persisted", highlighting the endurance against potential change.

how it continued

Uses "continued" instead of "stayed", focusing on the uninterrupted nature of the state.

how it held up

Replaces "stayed" with "held up", suggesting a resistance to deterioration or failure.

how it was maintained

Emphasizes the act of keeping something in its original condition.

the way it was preserved

Focuses on the act of maintaining something's original condition over time.

the manner in which it endured

Highlights the way something withstood challenges over a period.

how it survived

Uses "survived" instead of "stayed", emphasizing the ability to overcome threats or difficulties.

the secret to its stability

Shifts the focus to understanding why something remained constant.

the factors contributing to its consistency

Directs attention to the specific reasons behind a thing's unchanging nature.

FAQs

What does "how it stayed" mean?

The phrase "how it stayed" refers to the manner in which something remained in a particular condition or state over a period of time. It often implies a sense of wonder or surprise.

What can I say instead of "how it stayed"?

You can use alternatives like "how it remained", "how it persisted", or "how it continued" depending on the context.

Is "how it stayed" grammatically correct?

Yes, "how it stayed" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to describe the manner in which something maintained a particular condition.

When is it appropriate to use "how it stayed" in writing?

Use "how it stayed" when you want to emphasize the continuation of something in a certain state, especially when there's an element of surprise or resilience involved.