more than still

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "more than still" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in a context where you want to express a state that is beyond just being still, but clarity is essential. Example: "The lake was more than still; it was as if time had stopped."

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Industry analysts say that the new technologies could affect much more than still cameras.

The New York Times

The mayor's aides chalked it up to little more than still another off-the-cuff remark.

The New York Times

Built by a consortium that includes Grupo Dragados of Madrid, the new breakwater will do more than still the waters for the wealthy.

The New York Times

And yet Minogue, 45, is more than still around: last week her debut appearance as a judge on the new series of BBC1's The Voice seems to have single-handedly revived the show.

The Guardian - Music

These are more than still image "moments in time".

TechCrunch

Cats enjoy running water more than still water, and some of them even move their water bowls to get the water to move!

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Eze Udemegue, area coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), said: "We still have more than 3,000 still in the camp.

Huffington Post

Yet more than half still cover their heads, in one way or another.

The Economist

Strong winds are more dangerous than still weather because they dry people out.

The New York Times - Health

More than half still think of it as "friendly" however.

The Guardian

However, he said, this did leave more than 97,000 still open to abuse.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "more than still", ensure the context clearly indicates what the subject exceeds in its state of stillness, such as emphasizing potential for future action or the depth of current quietude.

Common error

Avoid using "more than still" when a simpler adjective like "calm" or "motionless" suffices; the phrase should add extra emphasis or imply a contrast with potential movement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more than still" functions primarily as a modifier, elaborating on a state of being. It suggests a quality that goes beyond simple stillness, often implying a deeper sense of calm, potential energy, or a deliberate lack of motion. Ludwig indicates it's not a common phrase, suggesting careful usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

16%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "more than still" is an uncommon yet grammatically acceptable way to describe a state that exceeds simple stillness, often implying deeper qualities like potential energy or deliberate calm. While Ludwig identifies its usage as infrequent, it is observed across diverse sources such as news media and science, suggesting neutrality in register. When employing "more than still", consider more common and explicit alternative phrasings such as "beyond motionless" for enhanced clarity and stronger communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

beyond motionless

Replaces "still" with a synonym emphasizing lack of movement; more formal.

more than stationary

A more formal way of saying something is not only unmoving but exceeds that state.

more than just static

Emphasizes that something is not only still, but surpasses simple inactivity.

not merely quiescent

A formal and somewhat literary way to say something is not just quiet or inactive.

more than inactive

Highlights that the situation involves surpassing the state of being inactive.

rather than stagnant

Shifts focus to avoiding negative implications of stillness, suggesting active progress instead.

surpassing calmness

Focuses on exceeding a state of calmness.

exceeding quiescence

Highlights the act of surpassing a state of being quiet or at rest.

past tranquility

Focuses on moving beyond a peaceful or calm state.

beyond repose

Indicates that a state has progressed past restfulness.

FAQs

How can I use "more than still" in a sentence?

You can use "more than still" to describe a state that goes beyond mere stillness, implying a deeper sense of calm or potential energy. For example, "The lake was "more than still"; it felt like a gateway to another world".

What are some alternatives to "more than still"?

Alternatives include "beyond motionless", "more than just static", or "rather than stagnant", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "more than still"?

While not the most common phrasing, "more than still" is grammatically acceptable. However, consider whether a simpler or more direct expression would be clearer and more effective.

When is it appropriate to use "more than still" instead of just "still"?

Use "more than still" when you want to emphasize that the stillness is exceptional or carries additional meaning, such as suggesting a latent power or a sense of anticipation. Otherwise, "still" may be sufficient.