motionless figure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "motionless figure" is correct and commonly used in written English.
Example: The detective entered the abandoned house and was startled by a motionless figure standing in the corner.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

He took just a moment to push his hat back on his head, then squatted beside the motionless figure.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Before boarding the ship, Tom suffered one of his rare but nevertheless recurring jolts of conscience: "He saw four motionless figures standing on the imaginary pier, the figures of Cretan policemen waiting for him".

The New York Times - Books

That said, the disparity between what was happening on stage – or, rather, what wasn't happening, unless you count watching black-clad, motionless figures wearing expressions that run the emotional gamut from morose to I-was-forced-here-at-gunpoint an unmissable visual feast – and what came out of the speakers held the audience rapt.

The Guardian - Music

Facing into the picture, Friedrich's motionless, reverent figures have long been seen as surrogates for the viewer.

The New York Times - Arts

Here it holds its own with Léger's great nudes, motionless, hieratic figures, walled in silence, yet amazingly powerful, much as Laurens' bronzes.

The Guardian - Arts

The tendency to depict icon-like, motionless mosaic figures isolated on a gold background has pre-Iconoclastic precedents, but from the 9th century onward it became a leading decorative principle.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But, as with the titanic, motionless deity-figure in "Immortal, Invisible, Wise" who "has held so long this, his repose, /that no one sees him any more", this other reality is mostly lost to plain sight in the fretful human world.

The Guardian - Books

I think Zim is best remembered as the guy right next to manager Joe Torre on the right-hand side of the Yankees dugout in the good years: a motionless thick, short figure, heavily swathed in Yankee formals.

The New Yorker

In stark contrast to the rescue behavior elicited by nestmates, C. cursor subjects were highly aggressive toward all other live test stimuli, except the motionless (chilled) nestmate (Figure S2), namely an ant from a different colony (heterocolonial test), an ant belonging to a different species (heterospecific test), or a larval cricket (prey test).

Plosone

Gore sat in a chair, motionless as a wax figure, while Rubin introduced him, stressing the role Gore had played in a project that his father had not considered very worthy during his officeholding days: eliminating the federal deficit.

The New Yorker

When audiences file into Everyman Theatre for performances of George Brant's gripping one-act, one-actor play "Grounded," they are greeted with the sight of a figure sitting motionless onstage, facing a wall covered with large TV monitors.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing art or performances, "motionless figure" can highlight the contrast between stillness and potential energy, or between silence and the surrounding activity.

Common error

Avoid using "motionless figure" too frequently in character dialogue. It sounds unnatural. Opt for simpler descriptions like "He stood still" or "She didn't move."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "motionless figure" functions as a descriptive noun phrase. It combines the adjective "motionless", indicating a lack of movement, with the noun "figure", referring to a person or form. Ludwig provides examples where this phrase is used to set a scene or describe a character's state.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

21%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "motionless figure" is a grammatically sound and frequently used descriptive phrase, particularly effective in creating suspense or highlighting stillness. According to Ludwig, its role is to depict a character’s position (or shape) combined with a stillness state, commonly found in News & Media and Science. When writing, remember to use it sparingly in dialogue and be aware of the nuances it creates, as suggested in this guide. Consider how this phrase contributes to the tone of your writing and replace it with similar terms as "still form" to convey meaning differently.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

immobile body

Focuses on the inability to move and the physical form.

inert shape

Emphasizes the lack of activity or responsiveness of the entity.

still form

Emphasizes the lack of movement and the shape or structure of the entity.

frozen form

Implies that the entity is not moving due to being frozen or stuck in place.

static shape

Highlights the unchanging nature and the outline of the entity.

rigid silhouette

Highlights the stiff, unyielding nature of the entity's outline.

stationary silhouette

Describes the unmoving outline or shadow of the entity.

unmoving effigy

Suggests a representation or likeness that is not moving, often implying a statue or model.

lifeless image

Suggests the entity lacks vitality or animation and is merely a representation.

passive entity

Focuses on the lack of action or participation of the entity.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "motionless figure" in a sentence?

Use "motionless figure" to describe a person or object that is completely still, often to create a sense of mystery or tension. For example, "A "motionless figure" stood in the shadows, watching."

What are some alternatives to "motionless figure"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "still form", "static shape", or "immobile body". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "motionless figure"?

Yes, "motionless figure" is grammatically correct. "Motionless" is an adjective describing the noun "figure". According to Ludwig AI, it's a valid and frequently used combination.

What's the difference between "motionless figure" and "still figure"?

"Motionless figure" emphasizes the complete lack of movement, while "still figure" can imply a temporary pause in movement. "Motionless" suggests a more permanent or unnerving lack of motion.