stop still

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "stop still" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something should come to a complete halt and remain in that position. Example: "When the alarm went off, everyone was instructed to stop still until further notice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Coming to a stop still requires more than a thought.

MIT Technology Review

He said: "I was trying to stop still and I felt I had arms all over me.

The Telegraph

He was slightly stressed when he got to his stop, still with half-an-hour's walk ahead of him on a track that led through featureless potato fields.

The Economist

Mr. Graham, who was neither arrested nor issued a summons in the stop, still bears a scar next to his left eye.

The New York Times

ON A sodden evening in Dadar, a middle-class neighbourhood in central Mumbai, one end of a bus stop still displays an ad for pro-biotic yoghurt.

The Economist

In each of the past two Decembers, the Islanders have fallen into a slump that did in their season, and they are trying to stop still another slide.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

If the flow of their conversation DOES change or stop, stay still and don't move!

WikiHow

Then he stops, still.

The Guardian - Books

"It depends if I'm stopping still.

The Guardian - Film

Pan Pan Theatre's production invites us to return to stopping still as we listen.

The Guardian

The biggest risk for Paris, she says on the walkabout at Avenue Foch, is that "the city stops still".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "stop still" when you want to emphasize the complete cessation of movement, as opposed to simply slowing down.

Common error

Avoid using "stop still" when you only want to suggest a pause or temporary halt. Alternatives like "pause" or "wait" might be more appropriate if complete immobility isn't required.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stop still" functions primarily as an imperative, instructing someone or something to cease movement completely. This is supported by Ludwig examples that frequently use it in directive contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "stop still" is a grammatically correct and usable English phrase that primarily functions as an imperative, meaning that it commands someone to cease movement entirely. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is suitable for a range of contexts, though it is more frequently found in News & Media and Wiki articles. While some may view "stop still" as slightly redundant, given that "stop" often implies a cessation of motion, adding "still" emphasizes the completeness of the immobility. Consider using alternatives such as "remain motionless" or "be still" based on your intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be still

A direct and simple command to stop moving.

cease movement

Emphasizes the act of ending movement.

halt motion

Focuses on the termination of motion.

come to a standstill

Implies a gradual cessation of movement, often in a figurative sense.

remain motionless

Highlights the state of being without motion.

stay put

Suggests remaining in a specific location without moving.

hold steady

Indicates maintaining a stable position without wavering.

freeze in place

Emphasizes an abrupt and sudden cessation of movement.

pause abruptly

Highlights the suddenness of the stop.

rest immobile

Focuses on a state of complete lack of movement and rest

FAQs

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

You can use "stop still" to instruct someone to cease all movement, like "The teacher told the students to stop still during the fire drill".

What's a more formal way to say "stop still"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "remain motionless" or "hold steady" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "stop still"?

While "stop" alone often implies ceasing movement, "stop still" emphasizes complete immobility. The redundancy can be useful for clarity in certain situations.

What is the difference between "stop still" and "stand still"?

"Stop still" implies ceasing any ongoing movement to become immobile, while "stand still" implies maintaining an upright and immobile posture. The correct choice depends on the initial state of the subject.