i was still

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was still" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something remained unchanged. For example: "I was still uncertain about making the decision, but I knew I had to take the risk."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I was still confused.

The New Yorker

I was still starving.

The New York Times - Travel

I was still me.

The New Yorker

I was still standing.

The New Yorker

I was still dubious.

The New Yorker

I was still puzzled.

The New Yorker

I was still drinking.

The New York Times - Magazine

I was still handcuffed.

The New York Times

I was still angry".

The New York Times

"I was still terrified.

The New York Times - Books

"And I was still isolating.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I was still" to clearly indicate the continuation of a state, action, or feeling from a previous time. This helps to establish a sense of continuity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "I was still" when describing something that is starting, instead of continuing. "I was still starting the project" is incorrect; use "I was just starting the project" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was still" functions as a marker of continuity, indicating that a state, condition, or action persisted at a specific point in the past. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's used to show that something hadn't changed or ceased.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I was still" effectively communicates the continuation of a state, action, or feeling in the past. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it maintains a neutral register suitable for diverse contexts, particularly in news and media. With a wide range of applications, understanding its grammatical function and usage patterns enables clear and contextually relevant writing. Remember to use it to accurately reflect continuing actions or states, and avoid its use when describing something just beginning. As the examples show, the phrase is common in many authoritative sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

i remained

Uses a different verb to convey the sense of continuing in a state.

i continued to be

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of the state or action.

i persisted in being

Highlights the determination or lack of change in a situation.

i kept being

Offers a more informal way to express the continuation of a state.

i carried on being

Similar to "kept being" but with a slightly more formal tone.

i was yet

Suggests a condition that existed up to a certain point.

even then i was

Adds emphasis to the timeframe when the state existed.

i was at that time

Highlights a specific moment when the state existed.

i was in the process

Focuses on an activity happening progressively.

i found myself

Emphasizes a personal discovery of persistence.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "I was still" in a sentence?

Use "I was still" to express that an action, state, or feeling persisted or continued up to a certain point. For example, "Even after the storm passed, "I was still" worried about the flood".

What are some alternatives to "I was still" that I can use to vary my writing?

You can use alternatives such as "I remained", "I continued to be", or "I persisted in being" to convey a similar meaning with slightly different emphasis.

Is there a difference between "I was still" and "I am still"?

"I was still" refers to a past action or state that continued up to a certain point in the past, while "I am still" refers to a present action or state that continues into the present. For example, ""I was still" working when he called" (past) versus "I am still working now" (present).

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "I was still"?

Avoid using "I was still" when describing an action or state that is just beginning, rather than continuing. For instance, instead of saying ""I was still" starting the project", it is more appropriate to say "I was just starting the project".