there still was

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'there still was' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something continued to exist, even after certain events occurred. For example: Even after the storm, there still was some damage to the building.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Coach Alain Vigneault said there still was no timetable for Luongo's return.

The New York Times

That was when there still was a man who would cradle your heel in his palm and guide your foot.

The New Yorker

In the beginning of the 18th century there still was hope of finding Norse descendants among the Eskimo in Greenland.

Encyclopedia Britannica

So as people start asking me if I'm disappointed, I have to remind them there still was a shiny new firetruck under the tree there Tuesday morning.

The New York Times

Distinguished guests arrived at the presidential palace for an inauguration early this evening, only to find out that there still was not a new president.

The New York Times

Indeed, said Kondratieff: "Where is the UK's truth commission on the collapse of OUR banking system?" Gpjcprus added: "Actually, I didn't even realise there still was an Iceland.

The Guardian - Business

"Back in '98, it was a personal decision based on the fact that they gave snowboarding to a ski organization while there still was a snowboard organization running the sport," he said in an e-mail.

The New York Times - Sports

"Condé Nast wants to own the magazine that is the dominant magazine in that category -- at the time there still was a category -- and Wired was the dominant magazine and still is".

The New York Times

Whatever the spaghetti westerns mean, they certainly were deeply critical of the US western myth, and in being so, paradoxically, they showed how much demand there still was among adults in both Europe and the US for the old gunslingers.

The Guardian - Books

Earlier today, I talked to Digg's new CEO John Borthwick who seemed genuinely surprised how much interest there still was in Digg.

TechCrunch

Mary Stopes-Roe, the daughter of Sir Barnes Wallis, the engineer who designed the "bouncing bomb" that destroyed German dams in the raids, said she was "amazed" at the amount of interest there still was in the operation.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "there still was" to clearly indicate that a condition, object, or state continued to exist despite a change or event that might have suggested otherwise.

Common error

Avoid using "there still was" in simple sentences where a more direct statement would be clearer and more concise. For example, instead of "There still was a problem", try "A problem remained."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "there still was" is to assert the continued existence or persistence of something. It commonly introduces a statement that something remained true or present despite a change, challenge, or expectation to the contrary. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and broad usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

27%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "there still was" is a versatile phrase used to indicate the continuation of something despite a change or event. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used, particularly in news, scientific and encyclopedic content. While neutral in register, its strength lies in its ability to highlight continuity or resilience. To use it effectively, ensure it adds value by emphasizing the continued existence of something rather than simply stating a fact. Consider alternatives like ""there remained"" in more formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

there remained

Focuses on the remaining existence of something after a period or event, suggesting a more formal tone.

something still existed

Emphasizes the existence of something without focusing on a past event, indicating continuation.

there continued to be

Highlights the ongoing nature of something's existence, suggesting persistence over time.

it persisted

Indicates that something continued despite challenges or obstacles, implying resilience.

it endured

Implies a longer duration of existence, often suggesting survival through difficult times.

it carried on

Suggests a continuation of an activity or state, often in a more casual context.

existence persisted

Highlights persistence with a more formal tone, focusing on the continued existence of something.

it was ongoing

Focuses on the current, continuous nature of something, rather than its past.

it was still in effect

Highlights the effectiveness or validity of a rule, law or agreement that continues from the past.

the state lingered

Describes the lingering quality of a state or condition that remains after an initial period.

FAQs

How can I use "there still was" in a sentence?

Use "there still was" to show that something continued to exist, or a situation remained true, even after a change or event occurred. For example, "Even after the renovations, "there still was" a cozy atmosphere".

What phrases are similar to "there still was"?

Alternatives include "something still existed", "it remained", or "there continued to be". Choose the phrase that best fits the context and tone of your writing.

Is "there still was" formal or informal?

"There still was" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal writing, you might prefer "there remained".

What's the difference between "there still was" and "there used to be"?

"There still was" implies that something existed at one point and continued to exist despite something that happened or a change. "There used to be" implies that something existed in the past but no longer exists in the present.