it still was

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it still was" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize that something remains unchanged. For example: Even after I tried to fix it, it still was broken.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And while its return on assets was 0.65%, it still was an improvement over 1985's 0.41%.

Los Angeles Times

Which it still was.

The New York Times - Sports

It still was not acceptable.

The New York Times

There it still was.

The Guardian - Books

But it still was very painful".

The New York Times - Sports

But it still was difficult going on.

The New Yorker

And it still was not working.

The New York Times - Sports

It still was not enough.

The New York Times - Sports

But here it still was.

The Guardian

But it still was not enough.

The New York Times - Sports

It still was not enough to beat California.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it still was" to emphasize the continuation of a previous state or condition, especially when contrasting it with intervening events or changes. This helps to maintain clarity and highlight the persistence of the initial state.

Common error

Avoid using "it still was" when the situation has clearly changed. This phrase is best used when something remains the same despite circumstances that might suggest otherwise. Ensure that the context supports the idea of continuity, not transformation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it still was" functions as a declarative statement emphasizing the continuation of a particular state or condition despite other influencing factors. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English. Many examples illustrate this persistence in various scenarios.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Academia

14%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it still was" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that emphasizes the continuation of a state or condition. Ludwig AI validates its correctness, and its prevalence across news, academic, and scientific sources confirms its versatility. While appropriate for formal and informal contexts, it's essential to use it accurately to highlight genuine persistence, not misrepresent situations of change. When you need to emphasize continuity or the lack of alteration despite the odds, "it still was" is a reliable choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it remained so

Focuses on the continuation of a state or condition.

it continued to be

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of something's existence or state.

it persisted as

Highlights the endurance of a particular condition or quality.

it was yet

Emphasizes the existence of something at a certain point.

it held true

Indicates that something remained accurate or valid.

it stood as

Suggests that something continued to represent or symbolize something else.

it persevered in being

Highlights the effort or resilience in maintaining a state.

it stayed that way

Simple and direct, indicating a lack of change.

it endures as

Implies a lasting or ongoing existence.

it was nonetheless

Highlights a surprising yet maintained aspect.

FAQs

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

Use "it still was" to emphasize that something remained in a particular state despite other changes or events. For example, "Even though the team lost several key players, "it still was" a formidable opponent".

What are some alternatives to "it still was"?

Alternatives to "it still was" include "it remained so", "it continued to be", or "it persisted as". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "it still was" and "it was still"?

Yes, "it still was" emphasizes the continuation of a past state, while "it was still" simply indicates that something was in a particular state at a specific time. The former is used to highlight persistence, while the latter is more neutral.

Can I use "it still was" in formal writing?

Yes, "it still was" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when you need to highlight the persistence of a condition or state. However, consider whether a more sophisticated synonym like "it remained so" might be more suitable depending on the tone and context.