remaining still

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "remaining still" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of not moving or being motionless, often in contexts related to calmness or stability. Example: "In the midst of chaos, she found peace by remaining still and taking deep breaths."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Academia

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

Doing my work meant remaining still.

The New York Times

Army, now 2-7 witwotwo games remaining, still had its chances.

The New York Times - Sports

Many of the old residents remaining still attend the Polish, Ukrainian or Russian churches that dot the streets.

The Guardian

The rest trials were signaled by a pair of hyphens '' that the participant was asked to fixate while remaining still.

Nature

It continues to service only skiers (no snowboarders) and the cooperative-owned mountain, one of the country's few remaining, still looks down on artificial snowmaking.

The New York Times - Travel

Without a deal, Tehran will have little reason to stop its uranium enrichment program (even if remaining still short of producing an actual nuclear bomb).

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

Lukas and Baffert remained still.

The New York Times - Sports

We cannot remain still.

The New York Times - Arts

But questions remain, still.

The Guardian - Sport

The dancers remained still, expressionless.

The New Yorker

She and the spotlights often remain still.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone to be still, use "remaining still" to convey a sense of deliberate calmness, particularly when precision is required, such as during medical imaging or artistic performances.

Common error

Avoid using phrases that are redundant with "still", such as "remaining still and quiet", as "still" already implies a lack of motion and, often, a lack of sound. Instead, focus on either the physical or auditory aspect depending on what you want to emphasize.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "remaining still" functions as a verbal phrase often used as an adverbial modifier, describing the manner in which an action is performed or a state is maintained. Ludwig shows that this phrase can modify verbs of action, indicating a deliberate choice not to move.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

31%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Academia

6%

Encyclopedias

6%

Formal & Business

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "remaining still" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe the act of staying motionless. As Ludwig confirms, it's appropriate in various contexts, ranging from formal instructions to descriptions of behavior in natural settings. While alternatives like "staying still" and "holding still" exist, "remaining still" often implies a deliberate effort to avoid movement. It is essential to avoid redundancy by omitting superfluous words. Its frequency and distribution across authoritative sources like The New York Times and scientific publications demonstrate its broad acceptance and utility in formal, neutral, and some informal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

perfectly still

Emphasizes the degree of stillness; completely without movement.

absolutely still

Emphasizes the completeness of the lack of movement.

staying still

Focuses on the act of maintaining a motionless state.

holding still

Implies a conscious effort to keep from moving.

keeping still

Highlights the continuous aspect of avoiding movement.

motionless

Describes a state of complete absence of movement.

immobile

Indicates an inability or lack of capacity to move.

stationary

Emphasizes the fixed position and lack of relocation.

at rest

Suggests a state of calmness and inactivity.

not moving

Simply states the absence of movement, more direct and less formal.

FAQs

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

You can use "remaining still" to describe a state of not moving, such as "The photographer asked the model to focus on "remaining still" for the portrait" or "The doctor advised "remaining still" during the MRI scan".

What does "remaining still" mean?

"Remaining still" means to stay in a position without moving. It implies a deliberate effort to avoid movement.

Are there any alternatives to "remaining still"?

Yes, you can use alternatives like "staying still", "holding still", or "keeping still", depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "remaining still" versus other similar phrases?

"Remaining still" is appropriate when emphasizing a conscious and deliberate effort to avoid movement, often in situations requiring precision or control, unlike simply "staying still", which is more general.