stills

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "stills" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It can be used as either a noun or a verb. Example sentence (as a noun): The movie studio stills revealed a previously unseen glimpse of the cast's costumes. Example sentence (as a verb): "The photographer stilled the motion of the sports car as it turned around the corner."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The nascent Japanese whisky industry was built on Scottish components: Scottish stills, Scottish barley and even, it is alleged, Scottish water, were shipped to Japan.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Highlights include tips on how to raise your game, fun packs for the kids and "full-size, internet-quality stills" that are 320 pixels wide.

The Guardian - Film

Mike Bowers had a small video camera strapped to his main stills camera, and captured Rudd thanking his supporters while proclaiming he had done his bit by preserving Labor as a fighting force.

The Guardian

Cauchetier had to be unobtrusive because even the boldest screen actor could turn self-conscious at the sight of a stills camera.

The Guardian - Arts

"When the seller sent me two stills from the film, I was shocked.

The Guardian

Judges praised the combined use of voiceover, stills and video footage within a series of slideshows, that made up the Learning Lessons in Africa report, calling it a 'compelling story' and a 'seamless piece of journalism' that set it apart from other more technically adventurous projects.

The Guardian

The Daily Mirror article that accompanied stills from video footage taken at a recording studio in London in September identified the drug Ms Moss was snorting as cocaine.

The Guardian

Even the basic model has a built-in camera that takes 12 megapixel stills and video at the "1080p" high-definition standard.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

It still does.

The New York Times - Arts

Police are still investigating threats to kill Hall, reportedly linked to his decision to axe Clarkson.

The Guardian

The Times reported that he said: "You have tanks and armour rolling across the Ukrainian border, and you have an Estonian border guard being captured and not yet still returned.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "stills" in the context of photography or film, ensure clarity by specifying the type of stills if necessary (e.g., "film stills", "promotional stills").

Common error

Be careful not to confuse the plural noun "stills" (referring to multiple static images or distillation apparatuses) with the adverb "still" (meaning 'yet' or 'nevertheless').

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "stills" is as a plural noun. It can refer to static images, especially in the context of photography or film, as shown by Ludwig's examples related to "film stills". It can also denote distillation apparatuses, as highlighted in examples about alcohol production.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Encyclopedias

24%

Science

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "stills" functions primarily as a plural noun, denoting either static images extracted from films or used in photography, or equipment used in the distillation process. As supported by Ludwig, the usage is grammatically correct and prevalent across diverse contexts such as News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Science. When referring to images, alternatives like "photographs", "snapshots", and "images" may be suitable depending on the context. In the realm of alcohol production, related terms include "pot stills" and distillery equipment. While "stills" can be used in various settings, distinguishing between its photographic and distillation-related meanings, as well as avoiding confusion with the adverb "still", is crucial for clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

film stills

Specifically refers to images extracted from movies.

photographs

Replaces the general term with a more specific term referring to static images.

screen grabs

Implies images captured directly from a digital display.

snapshots

Implies informal or quickly taken images.

images

A broad term encompassing various forms of visual representation.

frames

Refers to individual images that make up video.

pot stills

Highlights a specific type of distillation apparatus.

distillery equipment

Focuses on the equipment used for distillation, sharing a connection when referring to liquor production.

vats

Emphasizes the containers used in brewing and distilling.

brewery equipment

Refers to the general machinery used in brewing processes.

FAQs

How is "stills" used in the context of film?

In film, "stills" refer to individual photographs taken from a movie set or the film itself, often used for promotional purposes. For example, "The studio released several "film stills" to promote the upcoming movie".

What is another word for "stills" when referring to photographs?

When "stills" refers to photographs, you can use alternatives like "photographs", "snapshots", or "images" depending on the specific context.

What does "stills" mean in the context of alcohol production?

In the context of alcohol production, "stills" refers to the apparatus used for distillation, separating alcohol from a fermented mixture. These can be "pot stills" or other types of distillation equipment.

Which is correct, "film stills" or "movie stills"?

Both "film stills" and "movie stills" are correct and commonly used to refer to promotional photographs taken from a movie. The choice often depends on personal preference or the specific style guide being followed.