rarely still

USAGE SUMMARY

"rarely still" is a correct phrase that can be used in written English.
The phrase is often used to describe a situation in which something is difficult to remain settled or calm. For example: "The ocean was rarely still, the waves crashing against the rocks".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

But the air is rarely still.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Singh speaks rarely, more rarely still to the nation.

The New York Times

For Cipollini, who rarely still races at his best, the end was not unexpected.

The New York Times - Sports

She expresses emotion with her body, like a dancer, and her oversize, extremely symmetrical features are rarely still.

The New York Times

All my tics are involuntary and I tic hundreds of times a day, so I'm rarely still or quiet.

The Guardian

Whereas Schumer stood pretty much center stage throughout her performance, using her arms to make or illustrate a point, Feinstein, small, dark-haired, and energetic, knew how to traverse the space; she was rarely still.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Natalie MacMaster rarely stands still.

The New York Times - Arts

We so rarely sit still for anything.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Models rarely stayed still for Richard Avedon.

The Guardian - Arts

Pupils rarely sit still for long and textbooks are rarely used.

The Guardian

A curiously adaptive language, pliant and playful, it rarely stands still.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's personality, use "rarely still" to indicate a dynamic and energetic nature, rather than a fidgety or nervous disposition. This adds a positive connotation to their restlessness.

Common error

Avoid using "rarely still" when you mean "rarely silent". "Rarely still" refers to physical movement, whereas "rarely silent" refers to a lack of speech or noise. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rarely still" functions primarily as an adverbial modifier, describing the frequency with which something is not in a state of stillness. As supported by Ludwig AI, this denotes something is hardly settled or calm. Examples show it modifying subjects from people to objects in nature.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Wiki

26%

Science

21%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "rarely still" is a grammatically sound phrase that effectively communicates a state of infrequent stillness or constant motion. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media and Wiki sources, it paints a picture of dynamism rather than complete rest. The phrase serves to highlight the active and ever-changing nature of its subject. Remember to use it carefully to avoid confusion with "rarely silent" and to accurately reflect the intended meaning in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seldom motionless

Replaces "rarely" with "seldom" and "still" with "motionless", maintaining the core meaning of infrequent stillness.

infrequently static

Substitutes "rarely" with "infrequently" and "still" with "static", emphasizing the lack of a stationary state.

hardly quiescent

Uses "hardly" instead of "rarely" and "quiescent" to replace "still", highlighting a lack of quiet or rest.

scarcely at rest

Replaces "rarely" with "scarcely" and uses the phrase "at rest" to convey a similar meaning to "still".

uncommonly active

Presents a contrasting but related idea, focusing on the unusual presence of activity rather than the lack of stillness.

not often stationary

Replaces "rarely" with "not often" and "still" with "stationary", providing a more descriptive alternative.

sporadically calm

Emphasizes the intermittent nature of calmness, implying that stillness is infrequent.

infrequently at a standstill

Uses "infrequently" and "at a standstill" to convey a similar meaning to "rarely still", focusing on the lack of prolonged stops.

seldom at peace

This conveys a lack of inner peace or tranquility, implying a restless state.

hardly ever stable

Indicates a lack of stability rather than stillness, suggesting a constant state of change or movement.

FAQs

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

You can use "rarely still" to describe someone or something that is almost always in motion. For example, "The hummingbird is "rarely still", constantly flitting from flower to flower".

What's a more formal way to say "rarely still"?

A more formal alternative to "rarely still" could be "seldom motionless" or "infrequently static". These options maintain a similar meaning while sounding more sophisticated.

What's the difference between "rarely still" and "never still"?

"Rarely still" implies that there are occasional moments of stillness, while "never still" suggests constant movement without any breaks. The key difference lies in the presence or absence of any stillness.

Can "rarely still" be used to describe abstract concepts?

While primarily used for physical motion, "rarely still" can metaphorically describe abstract concepts that are constantly evolving or changing. For example, "The political landscape is "rarely still", with new alliances and conflicts emerging frequently."