stayed idle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "stayed idle" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of inactivity or lack of movement over a period of time. Example: "Despite the urgent need for action, the team stayed idle while waiting for further instructions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

As a consequence, the computational grid stayed idle for 17.4, for 10.1 and for 4.7 days using the grid middlewares OAR/CiGri, Globus, and OurGrid, respectively.

Journal of the Brazilian Computer Society

As a consequence, the computational grid stayed idle for 4.7, 10.1, e 17.4 days, for OurGrid, Globus and OAR/CiGri grid middlewares, respectively.

Journal of the Brazilian Computer Society

While record labels stayed idle during the Christmas season, "Yeah!" was getting favorable and quick response from radio stations though nobody was promoting; it was finally released as the lead single.

Wikipedia

With the fresh-chicken niche market satisfied by the live birds you killed yourself at home and our processed chicken too expensive, our poultry plant stayed idle; it could not afford to process any chicken.

Huffington Post

But on election day Tuesday, those transportation fears fizzled dramatically as volunteer buses and carpools stayed idle in Dodge City, and activists and residents agreed that the controversy had become overblown.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"But we can't stay idle forever".

The New York Times

But staying idle would not be Comella.

The New York Times - Sports

"It is not good for a car to stay idle.

The New York Times

Human body wasn't designed to stay idle all the time.

Stanford University

In May, he got out of prison, but he did not stay idle long, prosecutors say.

The New York Times

Fort Wayne's factory is among those that will stay idle for the summer.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "stayed idle" when you want to emphasize that something or someone remained inactive or unused for a period, often implying a sense of wasted potential or opportunity.

Common error

Avoid using "stayed idle" in highly formal or technical writing; consider more precise alternatives like "remained inoperative" or "were unutilized" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stayed idle" functions as a verb phrase, indicating a state of inactivity or lack of use. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "stayed idle" is a grammatically sound verb phrase used to describe a state of continued inactivity. Ludwig confirms its correctness and highlights its applicability across different contexts, most commonly in News & Media and Science. While not overly formal, it's best to consider more precise alternatives for technical or high-level professional writing. Related phrases include "remained inactive" and "remained unused". In summary, use "stayed idle" when you wish to convey that something or someone continued to be inactive for a duration, often implying wasted opportunities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remained inactive

Replaces "stayed" with "remained" and "idle" with "inactive" for a more formal tone.

remained unused

Focuses on the lack of utilization rather than a state of being.

was left dormant

Emphasizes a state of potential activity that is currently suppressed.

stood still

Highlights a lack of movement or advancement.

ceased operation

Indicates a complete halt in functionality.

was not utilized

Highlights the absence of usage.

was mothballed

Suggests a deliberate shutdown with the possibility of future reactivation.

did not move

Simple and direct, focusing on the absence of physical movement.

was stagnant

Implies a lack of progress or development.

laid dormant

Similar to "was left dormant" but with a slightly different emphasis.

FAQs

How can I use "stayed idle" in a sentence?

"Stayed idle" describes a state of inactivity. For example: "The machines stayed idle during the power outage."

What's a more formal way to say "stayed idle"?

Consider using alternatives like "remained inactive" or "remained unused" for a more formal tone.

Is it correct to say "stayed idled" instead of "stayed idle"?

No, "stayed idled" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is "stayed idle", where "idle" functions as an adjective describing the state of being.

What's the difference between "stayed idle" and "became idle"?

"Stayed idle" implies that something was already idle and continued to be so. "Became idle" suggests a transition from an active state to an inactive one.