only still

USAGE SUMMARY

"only still" is a correct and usable expression in written English.
It can be used to express a certain degree of surprise or astonishment that something is still the case even though it was unexpected. For example, "I can't believe he's only still in school at his age!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's only still on our myopic time track.

The Guardian - Opinion

This isn't the only still image this week that's disappointed.

The Guardian - Film

Noble's drawings are the only still images in this show.

The Guardian - Arts

We are only still talking about Obama because he won.

The Guardian - Opinion

Not only still at war, but deeper than ever.

The New York Times

"No, extra pressure would only still the joy of the experience," he said.

The New Yorker

At the moment, the system is designed to analyze only still images.

MIT Technology Review

"We're only still going to be here because Island Properties was so accommodating," he said.

The New York Times

What I want to stress is that BBC3 is not only still open, but thriving.

The Guardian

The filibuster is not only still used but is a prized weapon.

The Guardian

SACD, designed primarily as an audio format, can display only still photographs.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "only still" to express surprise or mild astonishment that a situation or condition continues to exist, particularly when it was unexpected or presumed to have changed. For example, "I'm surprised they're "only still" offering that old model."

Common error

Avoid using "only still" interchangeably with phrases that merely indicate continuation without the element of surprise or unexpectedness. "Only still" implies a degree of astonishment that something hasn't changed, which is a nuance lost if used too broadly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "only still" functions as an adverbial modifier, typically expressing a degree of surprise or unexpected continuation of a state or action. As confirmed by Ludwig, it adds emphasis to the persistence of something that was perhaps anticipated to change.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "only still" functions as an adverbial modifier used to express mild surprise or astonishment that a certain situation or condition persists. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and highlights its utility in various contexts, particularly in news and media, science, and business-related content. While versatile, its specific nuance of unexpected continuation should be kept in mind. Alternatives like "still just" or "simply still" offer subtle shifts in emphasis. When using "only still", ensure it effectively conveys the intended sense of surprise regarding the lack of change or progress.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

still just

Reverses the order and uses "just" instead of "only", altering emphasis slightly.

merely still

Substitutes "only" with "merely" to convey a sense of insignificance or limitation alongside the continuation.

simply still

Uses "simply" to replace "only", indicating ease or lack of complication in the continued state.

just now still

Adds "now" for increased emphasis on the current relevance of the continued action, compared with "only still".

even now still

Uses "even now" to express surprise that something continues up to the present time.

yet still

Indicates something is still happening despite an expectation to the contrary, differing in expressing contrast more strongly.

remaining still

Focuses on the aspect of something continuing to exist or be in a particular state.

carrying on still

Emphasizes the active continuation of something, often implying persistence.

persisting still

Highlights the enduring nature of something, even in the face of challenges.

continuing still

Focuses directly on the act of something continuing, removing the limiting aspect of "only".

FAQs

How can I use "only still" in a sentence?

You can use "only still" to express surprise or mild astonishment that a condition or situation continues to exist. For example, "After all these years, they're "only still" using the same old equipment?"

What are some alternatives to using "only still"?

Alternatives include "still just", "merely still", or "simply still", depending on the degree of emphasis you want to convey.

Is it more correct to say "still only" instead of "only still"?

While both phrases can be grammatically correct, "only still" is used to express surprise that something has persisted and is usually placed before the verb it modifies. "Still only" usually indicates a quantity. For example, "They are "only still" offering the old model" versus "They are still only offering ONE model".

What's the difference between "only still" and "just still"?

"Only still" and "just still" are similar, but "only still" can have a slightly stronger sense of surprise that something is continuing, whereas "just still" might simply emphasize the fact that it's continuing at this moment.