remain still

USAGE SUMMARY

"remain still" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when talking about someone staying in one place or not moving. For example, "He remained still while the doctor examined him."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We cannot remain still.

The New York Times - Arts

But questions remain, still.

The Guardian - Sport

She and the spotlights often remain still.

The New York Times

(Students in the inner circle remain still).

The New York Times

Its wings remain still and upright for a long time.

The New York Times

The test requires the subjects to remain still.

The New York Times - Health

She estimates 280 missing grandchildren remain still to be found.

The Guardian

If it's a grizzly, remain still and calm.

The Guardian

Suddenly Pavel gestured for him to remain still.

The Guardian - Books

I remain still for several minutes, but never see the bird.

The New York Times

"Satisfyin Lover" depicts people walking across the stage; in "State" they remain still.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In writing, consider the context to choose the most appropriate synonym; for instance, "stay put" is more casual than "remain stationary".

Common error

Avoid using "remain still" with verbs that imply movement or action. For example, it's incorrect to say "He remained still while running"; instead, use "He stopped running and remained still".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "remain still" functions primarily as a directive or instruction. It is used to tell someone or something to avoid movement, as supported by Ludwig examples like "Subjects were instructed to remain still" and "Pavel gestured for him to remain still".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

40%

Wiki

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "remain still" is grammatically correct and commonly used to instruct someone or something to avoid movement. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous real-world examples from diverse sources, including news media, scientific publications, and wikis. Its communicative purpose is to ensure stability, and its register ranges from neutral to formal. When a less formal tone is appropriate consider using alternatives like "hold still" or "stay put". A key writing tip is to avoid using "remain still" with verbs that imply movement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stay put

This implies remaining in a specific location without moving.

hold still

This is a command or request to someone to avoid moving.

keep still

Similar to "hold still", but it suggests maintaining stillness over a period.

stay motionless

This emphasizes the absence of any movement at all.

remain stationary

This highlights staying in one place and not changing position.

freeze

This suggests an abrupt stop and complete lack of movement.

don't move

A direct instruction to avoid any movement.

be still

A more general exhortation to stillness.

stand still

Specifically refers to remaining still while standing.

lie still

Specifically refers to remaining still while lying down.

FAQs

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

You can use "remain still" to instruct someone to not move, such as "The doctor told the patient to "remain still" during the X-ray".

What are some alternatives to saying "remain still"?

Alternatives include "hold still", "stay put", or "keep still", depending on the context and the level of formality you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to use "remain still" or "stay still"?

"Remain still" is generally more formal than "stay still". The choice depends on the context; "remain still" might be preferred in professional or medical settings, while "stay still" is suitable for informal situations.

When should I use "remain still" versus "stay motionless"?

"Remain still" implies a general lack of movement, whereas "stay motionless" emphasizes the complete absence of any movement. Use "stay motionless" when absolute stillness is crucial.