remained still

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "remained still" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of not moving or being in a fixed position. Example: "The cat remained still, watching the bird from the window."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Lukas and Baffert remained still.

The New York Times - Sports

The dancers remained still, expressionless.

The New Yorker

For one hour exactly Zhang remained still.

The Guardian - Arts

The journalists acknowledged them, but their pens remained still.

The New York Times - Sports

Give me a thumbs up!' " His hands remained still.

The New York Times - Magazine

If I remained still for longer, the birds would return.

The Guardian - Books

At first, she was confused, as he remained still.

The Guardian

Marbury, in his corner locker, remained still, unaffected and undaunted.

The New York Times - Sports

Jahi's fingernails, which Nailah had painted pink, remained still.

The New Yorker

Only Ali's eyes remained still, holding Nachman's eyes persistently, intimately.

The New Yorker

In this case, we remained still and quiet, but the old bear stopped.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "remained still" to describe a deliberate action or state where movement is intentionally suppressed or absent. For instance, when observing wildlife, "I remained still so as not to startle the birds".

Common error

Avoid using "remained still" when the context requires action or progress. For example, instead of saying "The project remained still due to lack of funding", consider "The project stalled due to lack of funding".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "remained still" functions as a descriptive element in a sentence, typically modifying a subject to indicate a state of inactivity or lack of motion. As noted by Ludwig, it is usable and correct in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "remained still" is a versatile expression used to describe a state of inactivity or lack of motion. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically sound and frequently encountered across various domains, especially in News & Media and Science. While alternatives like "stayed motionless" or "held still" exist, "remained still" effectively conveys the intended meaning in most contexts. It's crucial to ensure its usage aligns with the need for describing stillness rather than action, and, this makes it a valuable addition to one's vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stayed motionless

Emphasizes the lack of movement, focusing on a static state.

remained stationary

Highlights the absence of movement from a fixed position.

held still

Suggests a deliberate effort to maintain a lack of movement.

didn't move

A simple, direct way of expressing the absence of motion.

stayed put

Implies remaining in the same location without change.

remained static

Focuses on the unchanging nature of the subject.

kept still

Similar to "held still", suggesting a conscious effort to avoid movement.

stood motionless

Specifically refers to standing without movement.

remained quiet

Implies a lack of activity or disturbance, extending beyond physical movement.

was unmoving

A descriptive term indicating a complete absence of movement.

FAQs

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

You can use "remained still" to describe a state of not moving. For example: "The cat remained still, watching the bird from the window" or "He remained still, trying not to attract attention".

What are some alternatives to "remained still"?

Alternatives include "stayed motionless", "held still", or "didn't move", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "remained still" or "stayed still"?

"Remained still" and "stayed still" are often interchangeable, but "remained still" may imply a more prolonged or conscious effort to maintain stillness. The choice depends on the nuance you wish to convey.

What is the difference between "remained still" and "stood still"?

"Remained still" is a general term for not moving, while "stood still" specifically refers to maintaining a stationary position while standing. You would use "stood still" only when the subject is in a standing posture.