motionless as a statue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "motionless as a statue" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that is completely still or unmoving, often in a dramatic or vivid context. Example: "She stood motionless as a statue, captivated by the breathtaking view before her."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

By this time the children are sitting upright cross-legged on the floor or feet hanging on a chair, motionless as a statue with their eyes gently shut.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

He will remain as still as a statue.

The New York Times - Sports

You sit as still as a statue.

Huffington Post

Stand as still as a statue.

WikiHow

Those include two gilded statues of King Tutankhamen as well as a statue of Queen Nefertiti.

Science Magazine

In a video uploaded to YouTube, breakdancer "Noster" dance battles a statue -- OK, not an actual statue, but a street performer named Eclypse posing as a statue.

Huffington Post

Go out on your lawn dressed as a statue.

WikiHow

Bari-Mai was appointed fielder; she squatted, motionless as a stone, only her jaws moving in their perpetual mumble.

The New Yorker

Intricately patterned in brown and white, it sat with uplifted beak and bulbous bottom, motionless as a museum display.

The New York Times - Travel

Venus, standing inside the baseline, is left motionless as a rapid Serena serve whizzes past her.

BBC

"The men were motionless as statues, with their eager eyes fastened upon the Laverock with a fixedness and intensity that seemed almost unnatural.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "motionless as a statue" to vividly describe a state of complete stillness, especially when emphasizing a sense of awe, fear, or surprise. It's effective for creating a strong visual image in the reader's mind.

Common error

Avoid using "motionless as a statue" in contexts where simple stillness is meant. This simile is best reserved for moments requiring dramatic or emphatic description, as overuse can diminish its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "motionless as a statue" functions primarily as a simile, employing the word "as" to draw a comparison between the state of being motionless and the inherent stillness of a statue. This comparison serves to emphasize the complete lack of movement.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

33%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "motionless as a statue" functions as a simile, used to vividly describe a state of complete stillness. It's considered grammatically correct and suitable for a range of contexts, particularly where dramatic or emphatic description is desired. While less common in everyday speech, its impact in writing can be significant. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase follows standard grammatical rules and is acceptable for use. Alternative phrases like "still as a statue" offer similar connotations, but the key is to reserve this simile for moments that truly warrant its descriptive power.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

still as a statue

Replaces "motionless" with "still", a synonym with a similar connotation of complete lack of movement.

immobile as a statue

Substitutes "motionless" with "immobile", emphasizing the inability to move.

unmoving as a statue

Replaces "motionless" with "unmoving", offering a more direct synonym.

rigid as a statue

Replaces "motionless" with "rigid", suggesting a stiff, unyielding stillness.

frozen like a statue

Uses "frozen" instead of "motionless", implying a sudden halt to movement.

like a statue

Shortens the phrase, maintaining the comparison to a statue but omitting the specific adjective.

statuesque in stillness

Inverts the structure to emphasize stillness, describing it as "statuesque".

perfectly still

Highlights the perfection of the stillness.

completely still

Simplifies the phrase to its core meaning, omitting the simile.

without a twitch

Focuses on the absence of even the smallest movement.

FAQs

How can I use "motionless as a statue" in a sentence?

You can use "motionless as a statue" to describe someone or something that is completely still, such as: "The child stood "motionless as a statue", watching the parade go by."

What's a good alternative to "motionless as a statue"?

Alternatives include "still as a statue", "immobile as a statue", or simply stating that someone was "completely still."

In what situations is it best to use "motionless as a statue"?

"Motionless as a statue" is most effective when you want to emphasize a dramatic or unexpected stillness, often in moments of surprise, tension, or intense focus. It provides a stronger image than just saying "still."

Is "motionless as a statue" a simile or a metaphor?

"Motionless as a statue" is a simile because it uses "as" to directly compare the stillness to that of a statue. A metaphor would imply the person is a statue without using "as" or "like".