stayed that way

USAGE SUMMARY

"stayed that way" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is usually used to describe something that has remained unchanged for a certain amount of time or has maintained a certain state. Example: After they moved out, the house stayed that way for years, with the windows boarded up and the paint peeling off the walls. In this example, "stayed that way" is used to describe the unchanging condition of the abandoned house.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And she stayed that way.

The New York Times - Science

It has stayed that way ever since.

The New York Times

They might have stayed that way.

The Economist

And he stayed that way".

The New York Times

Czifra got clean and stayed that way.

The New Yorker

It stayed that way for two months.

The New Yorker

And it stayed that way for quite a long time".

The New York Times

It was fine and has stayed that way.

Independent

And how we wish it had stayed that way.

The New York Times

The day dawned different and stayed that way.

The New York Times

A low-profile police presence stayed that way.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "stayed that way" to clearly indicate a lack of change or alteration over a period of time. It effectively communicates that something remained in a particular state or condition.

Common error

To enhance clarity, avoid using "stayed that way" without providing context about how long the state persisted. For example, instead of saying "The situation stayed that way", specify "The situation "stayed that way" for several months."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stayed that way" functions as a predicate complement, describing a state of being that continues unchanged. According to Ludwig AI it is grammatically sound and widely used. Examples include phrases like "it stayed that way for two months" or "it stayed that way until overtime".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "stayed that way" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate that a state or condition remained unchanged over a period of time. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and it is widely used across various reputable sources. As evidenced by numerous examples from sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, it appears frequently in news and media contexts. While the phrase is generally neutral in register, clarifying the duration or context can improve clarity. Alternatives such as "remained unchanged" or "continued unchanged" offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stayed as it was

Plain and simple way of saying something didn't change its characteristics.

continued unchanged

Directly states the absence of alteration, suitable for general contexts.

remained thus

Formal alternative, implying a continuation of a previously mentioned state or condition.

persisted as such

Emphasizes the enduring nature of the state, suggesting resistance to change.

held constant

Highlights the lack of variation, suitable for technical or precise descriptions.

endured in that state

Focuses on the duration of the condition, often implying a challenge or test.

maintained its form

Highlights the preservation of a specific configuration.

carried on like that

Indicates an uninterrupted course of action in a specific manner.

kept to that pattern

Emphasizes an unchanged behavior, tendency or routine.

went on in that fashion

Presents a prolonged continuation of a certain manner or style.

FAQs

How can I use "stayed that way" in a sentence?

You can use "stayed that way" to describe something that remained unchanged. For example, "The weather was sunny in the morning and "stayed that way" all day".

What can I say instead of "stayed that way"?

Alternatives include "remained unchanged", "persisted as such", or "continued unchanged", depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

Is it correct to say "stayed like that" instead of "stayed that way"?

"Stayed like that" is generally considered more informal, while ""stayed that way"" is more neutral and suitable for broader contexts. The choice depends on the tone you want to convey.

What does "stayed that way" imply about a situation?

It implies that a condition or state did not change over a certain period, suggesting stability or a lack of intervention that could have altered it.