there was still

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "there was still" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something was continuing after a specific moment in time, or that something remained unchanged. For example: "Despite the uncertainty, there was still a glimmer of hope."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There was still time.

The New Yorker

There was still pain.

Harvard University

There was still no answer.

The New York Times

There was still nobody out.

The New York Times

There was still life.

The New York Times

There was still hope.

The Guardian - Sport

There was still something.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"There was still firing.

The New York Times

There was still a man to save.

The New York Times

But there was still a missing element.

The New York Times

"There was still so much prejudice everywhere.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "there was still" to create a sense of ongoing situation or lingering hope, especially when expectations might suggest otherwise.

Common error

Avoid using "there was still" when the continuation is already implied. For example, instead of "The engine stopped, but there was still some noise", consider "The engine stopped, but some noise remained".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "there was still" functions as an existential clause indicating the continued existence or persistence of something at a specific point in time, often in contrast to an expected change or cessation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is typically used to show something was ongoing after a specific moment or remained unchanged.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "there was still" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to indicate the continuation or persistence of something, often against expectations. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in written English. It's most frequently found in News & Media and academic contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal register. While versatile, it's important to avoid redundancy by ensuring its use adds meaningful emphasis. Related phrases include "something remained" or "yet remained", providing alternative ways to express similar concepts. Overall, "there was still" is a valuable tool for writers seeking to convey continuity and lingering states.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

there yet remained

A more formal and somewhat archaic way of expressing the same idea.

something remained

Focuses on the persistence of something, omitting the temporal aspect of "still".

something persisted

Emphasizes the continuation of something despite potential obstacles.

the situation remained

Highlights the unchanged state of a situation, lacking the implication of time passing.

something continued

Indicates the ongoing nature of something, not necessarily after an expected cessation.

the possibility lingered

Focuses specifically on the remaining chance or potential.

it was yet to be

Highlights that something had not happened up to that point, implying it could still occur.

the condition held

Emphasizes the unchanged state of a specific condition or circumstance.

something endured

Highlights the lasting nature of something, suggesting it faced challenges but survived.

the potential existed

Emphasizes the presence of possibility but lacks the implication of prior expectations.

FAQs

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

Use "there was still" to indicate that something continued to exist or be the case despite a change or expectation. For example, "The rain stopped, but "there was still" a chill in the air".

What are some alternatives to "there was still"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "something remained", "something persisted", or "yet remained" to replace "there was still".

Is it correct to say "there was still no progress"?

Yes, it's grammatically correct. It emphasizes the absence of progress even after a period of time or effort.

What does "there was still room for improvement" mean?

It means that although something is good, it could be even better. It suggests that "further development" or refinement is possible.