stayed motionless

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "stayed motionless" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of being still or not moving, often in a context where someone is observing or waiting. Example: "As the storm raged outside, she stayed motionless, listening to the howling wind."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Sykora stayed motionless on the ice for several minutes.

The New York Times - Sports

He stayed motionless for several moments, until pushing off the dock and paddling away.

The New York Times - Sports

As visitors took turns to sit facing her, she stayed motionless before all but one, her ex-partner and fellow artist, Uwe Laysiepen, whose hands she took.

The Economist

Diana and her friends had stayed motionless with their arms raised throughout this process, as though hoping to overcome the enemy's aggression with the strength of their circle.

The New Yorker

What if, when the young man came knocking, the grown woman hid, locked her bedroom door and "stayed motionless on her bed, not answering, hugging her knees tightly"?

The New York Times

Every spring saw a batch of new chicks in the yard; in the summer the fluffy clouds sometimes stayed motionless for hours; any month could be called a rainy season, and the rain seemed to keep their house perpetually damp and chilly.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

The unhappy couple stay motionless, as if locked in time.

The New York Times - Arts

In contrast, people with abdominal pain from other conditions (such as appendicitis) tend to stay motionless.

Harvard University

They step, stop, and stay, motionless, nose to the air, looking and smelling.

The Guardian - Books

The poet Stamatis Polenakis suggests as much in "Poetry Does Not Suffice," translated by A. E. Stallings: The sirens don't sing, nor are they silent, they merely stay motionless, dumbstruck by the privatization of the waves and no poetry doesn't suffice since the sea filled up with trash and condoms.

The New Yorker

During the functional scan, subjects were asked to simply stay motionless, awake, and relaxed, and to keep their eyes closed; no visual or auditory stimuli were presented at any time during functional scanning.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a scene, use "stayed motionless" to create a sense of suspense or anticipation, highlighting the stillness before an action or event.

Common error

Do not use "stayed motionless" when a simpler word like "remained" or "stood" would suffice if the context already implies lack of movement. For example, instead of saying "The statue stayed motionless", you could say "The statue stood still".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stayed motionless" functions as a descriptive element, typically acting as a verb phrase that characterizes the state of a subject. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English. Examples in Ludwig show its use in describing both animate and inanimate objects.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

35%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "stayed motionless" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to describe the state of being still and unmoving. Ludwig AI validates its correctness, and its usage spans various contexts, including news, science, and general writing. While not exceedingly common, it effectively conveys a sense of stillness or anticipation. Alternatives such as "remained still" or "froze in place" offer subtle variations in meaning. When employing this phrase, ensure it adds value by emphasizing a particular moment of stillness or observation and consider simpler alternatives where the context makes them appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remained still

Replaces "stayed" with "remained" and "motionless" with the simpler "still", offering a slightly more concise alternative.

held still

Uses "held" to emphasize maintaining a still position, often implying effort or control.

kept still

Similar to "held still", but can also suggest a deliberate choice to avoid movement.

froze in place

Suggests a sudden stop in movement, as if becoming frozen.

stood stock-still

Emphasizes complete stillness, often implying surprise or fear.

remained stationary

Uses a more formal term, "stationary", to indicate a lack of movement.

didn't move

A simple and direct way to express the absence of movement.

ceased moving

Indicates that movement stopped and was not resumed.

halted completely

Focuses on the complete cessation of any motion or activity.

became immobile

Describes entering a state of not being able to move.

FAQs

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

You can use "stayed motionless" to describe someone or something that remained still and unmoving. For instance, "The cat stayed motionless as it watched the bird."

What is a good alternative to "stayed motionless"?

Alternatives include "remained still", "held still", or "froze in place". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "stayed motionless" formal or informal?

The phrase "stayed motionless" is neither overly formal nor informal; it is suitable for a variety of contexts, from news reports to scientific articles.

Can I replace "stayed motionless" with "remained static"?

While "remained static" is similar, it's more often used to describe objects or systems. "Stayed motionless" is more commonly used for living beings or things capable of movement. Consider the context to choose the most fitting term.