nearly motionless

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "nearly motionless" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something or someone that is almost completely still or not moving at all. Example: "The cat sat on the windowsill, nearly motionless, as it watched the birds outside."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

Suddenly, the string sound was hushed, velvety and nearly motionless.

The New York Times - Arts

It is held nearly motionless by electric fields emanating from the metal electrodes surrounding it.

The Guardian

As we sat tensely for 15 silent minutes, Tirath stood nearly motionless on the fender.

The New York Times - Travel

He was nearly motionless, letting his voice which is nimble and singular do the necessary work.

The New Yorker

Aside from the stinging clouds of mosquitoes, the jungle is nearly motionless.

The Guardian - Travel

His seascapes, often made at night, blend the movements of water and sky into nearly motionless gradations of gray.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

They were almost motionless.

The New York Times - Arts

Delfino was motionless for nearly 10 minutes.

The New York Times

In one marathon session, Rosario Castañeda, the Colombian biologist currently working in my lab at Harvard, remains motionless for nearly two hours because every time she takes video of one lizard, another appears nearby.

The New York Times

A chick's instinctive response, which is to tuck in its legs and become motionless and nearly invisible in the face of a predator or an oncoming vehicle, adds to its peril.

The New York Times

He'd had some success in television,… On an August night this past summer, the opera singer Marina Poplavskaya lay motionless for nearly three hours on the floor of her mother's apartment… Several of the world's top experts in the conservation of very old wood covered with very old paint met recently in a windowless, cramped room….

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "nearly motionless" to depict a scene or subject that has minimal or imperceptible movement, creating a sense of stillness or tension.

Common error

Avoid using "nearly motionless" when describing a dynamic scene. It's more appropriate for subjects intended to convey stillness, such as describing a sleeping animal or a tranquil body of water.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nearly motionless" functions primarily as an adjectival phrase, modifying nouns to describe their state of minimal movement. Ludwig examples confirm its use in portraying subjects that exhibit a high degree of stillness. For example, '...Tirath stood nearly motionless on the fender' or '...the jungle is nearly motionless.'

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Arts

12%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "nearly motionless" is a versatile adjectival phrase used to describe something that exhibits very little movement. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage, especially in contexts such as news reporting, arts criticism, and scientific descriptions. While "nearly motionless" suggests a state of high stillness, alternative phrases like "almost immobile" or "virtually still" can provide nuanced variations. To use it effectively, focus on scenes or subjects where the lack of motion is a key characteristic.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost immobile

Emphasizes the lack of ability to move, rather than just the absence of motion.

virtually still

Highlights the stillness to a high degree, almost complete.

practically unmoving

Focuses on the lack of change in position, close to no movement.

scarcely moving

Indicates a minimal degree of movement that is barely perceptible.

barely mobile

Similar to 'almost immobile', but focuses more on the capacity for movement.

stationary to a degree

Adds a bit of technical approach; highlights the degree to which something is not moving

mostly static

More suitable for describing abstract entities; indicates a state of being predominantly unchanged or fixed.

motion-limited

Suggests that there is a constraint or restriction on movement.

inhibited movement

Suggests the motion is being impeded or hindered by external circumstances

dormant state

Used to describe something that is inactive for a limited time

FAQs

How can I use "nearly motionless" in a sentence?

You can use "nearly motionless" to describe something that is almost completely still. For example, "The statue stood "nearly motionless" in the town square."

What can I say instead of "nearly motionless"?

Alternatives include "almost immobile", "virtually still", or "practically unmoving", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "nearly motionless" or "almost motionless"?

Both "nearly motionless" and "almost motionless" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice often comes down to stylistic preference.

What's the difference between "nearly motionless" and "completely still"?

"Nearly motionless" implies there might be some slight movement, while "completely still" suggests an absolute absence of movement. Use "nearly motionless" when there is minimal, perhaps imperceptible, movement, and "completely still" when there is no movement at all.