quite still

USAGE SUMMARY

"quite still" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to express that something is very still and quiet, like a calm lake with no movement or sound. For example: After the storm had passed, the lake was quite still, calming the agitated waters.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

Nothing else had seemed quite still enough.

The New Yorker

He stayed quite still, his eyes open just a slit.

The New Yorker

"But Jessica has this ability to be quite still.

The New York Times

They are still lifes that aren't quite still.

The New York Times - Arts

They stayed quite still and didn't ask any questions.

The Guardian

His eyes are not quite still in his head.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

I can see Ms. Stewart quite vividly still.

The New York Times

Not quite, but still, dear oh dear.

The Guardian - Sport

Raikkonen said: "The gap is quite big still.

BBC

"Hiring is still quite weak".

The New York Times

It's still quite fragile.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "quite still" to describe a scene or object that is not only still but also evokes a sense of peace or quietude. It adds a layer of gentle emphasis beyond simple stillness.

Common error

Avoid using "quite still" in overly descriptive passages where simpler terms like "still" or "motionless" would suffice. Overuse can dilute the phrase's impact and make the writing seem verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "quite still" functions primarily as an adverbial modifier enhancing an adjective. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes the state of being still with an added degree of intensity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Books

25%

Arts

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "quite still" is a versatile and commonly used expression to intensify the state of stillness. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s grammatically correct and appropriate for describing various scenarios where a significant lack of movement is observed. Its presence across different domains such as news, literature, and arts highlights its wide applicability. When writing, use "quite still" to add emphasis to a lack of motion, but be mindful of avoiding redundancy in overly descriptive passages. Consider alternatives like "perfectly still" or "completely motionless" to vary your language. Always contextualize its usage to ensure it adds value and clarity to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

perfectly still

Emphasizes a higher degree of stillness, suggesting an absence of even minor movements.

completely motionless

Focuses on the absence of any motion whatsoever, highlighting the static nature.

utterly still

Similar to 'perfectly still', but conveys a sense of profound quiet and stillness.

perfectly motionless

Highlights the complete lack of movement, emphasizing the physical stillness.

absolutely motionless

Similar to 'completely motionless', reinforcing the total absence of movement.

entirely still

Indicates a state of complete stillness, with no parts moving.

dead still

A more emphatic expression of stillness, implying a death-like quiet and lack of movement.

statuesque

Implies a stillness and posture resembling a statue, focusing on the visual aspect of immobility.

rock still

Like a rock, immovable, unshifting and therefore very similar to the immobility denoted by the query.

stock still

A more abrupt expression of stillness, implying a surprised halt to movement.

FAQs

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

You can use "quite still" to describe something that is very calm and without movement. For example: "The lake was "quite still" early in the morning."

What words are similar to "quite still"?

Similar phrases include "perfectly still", "completely motionless", or "utterly still". Each carries a slightly different nuance of stillness.

Is "quite still" formal or informal?

"Quite still" can be used in both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding language than on its inherent formality.

What's the difference between "quite still" and "still"?

Adding "quite" intensifies the degree of stillness. While "still" implies an absence of movement, ""quite still"" suggests a more profound or noticeable lack of motion.