unexpectedly still

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unexpectedly still" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or state that is surprising in its lack of movement or change. Example: "The crowd was unexpectedly still, as if they were holding their breath in anticipation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

It's easy now to be satirical about the Kennedy White House - those tales of naked girls scattering into the undergrowth like cats whenever Jackie's limousine brought her home unexpectedly still amuse - but one of the strengths of Bradford's book is that she does not underestimate its genuine, if mild enlightenment.

The Guardian - Books

Of "Entourage," I said "watching it summons that vague blank familiarity of discovering a show you used to watch is unexpectedly still on the air".

Los Angeles Times

The Times' Mark Olsen writes, "Whether created because of fan service or contractual obligation, the movie has none of the fizz of the earliest of the series' eight seasons, and watching it summons that vague blank familiarity of discovering a show you used to watch is unexpectedly still on the air".

Los Angeles Times

Therefore the pop½ values obtained here should not be taken as true elimination half-lives, but as a method of quantifying the fact that BPA is, unexpectedly, still present despite extended fasting by many NHANES participants.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

And she does so, quite unexpectedly, now: "Still.

The Guardian

But the fire, which has at times surged unexpectedly, was still weeks away from being contained, officials said.

The New York Times

"But when Smith went unexpectedly, they still did not really put enough pressure on - another couple of wickets and it would have been Surrey struggling.

BBC

Unexpectedly, the still highly condensed most external heterochromatin domain contains acetylated histones, which are usually associated with active transcription and decondensed chromatin.

Plosone

Hospital deaths in this acute context, occurring relatively unexpectedly and still within the framework of a curative/life prolonging approach to care, are arguably less avoidable than hospital deaths that occur after a longer illness.

BMC Palliative Care

Yet, unexpectedly, there are still some occurrences of unlimited uptake even in this latter case (during iterations 3 7).

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Then, there are all the wormholes in time that you can still unexpectedly fall through.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "unexpectedly still" when you want to convey a sense of surprise at a lack of movement or change in a situation where movement or change might be anticipated. It can add emphasis or intrigue to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "unexpectedly still" simply as an intensifier for "still". The 'unexpectedly' part is crucial; it suggests a contrast with a previous state or expectation. Using it without that context weakens the phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unexpectedly still" functions as an adverbial modifier, describing the manner in which something remains still. It combines the sense of continuation (still) with an element of surprise (unexpectedly). Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is usable and correct in the English language.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unexpectedly still" is a grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to express surprise at a lack of movement or change. While Ludwig AI states the phrase is usable, example sentences are rare but occur in news and scientific contexts. Alternative phrases such as "surprisingly motionless" or "unexpectedly quiet" can offer similar meanings, but it's important to consider the specific context to ensure the intended nuance is maintained. When used effectively, "unexpectedly still" can add emphasis and intrigue to writing by highlighting a deviation from anticipated movement or change.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

surprisingly motionless

Emphasizes the lack of movement as being surprising.

surprisingly unmoving

Similar to 'surprisingly motionless', but with a slightly different connotation.

unexpectedly quiet

Focuses on the lack of noise rather than movement, but can imply stillness.

surprisingly persistent

Highlights the continuation of something against expectations, rather than stillness itself.

remarkably enduring

Similar to 'surprisingly persistent', focusing on the unexpected continuation of a state.

unaccountably stagnant

Implies a lack of progress or development that is difficult to explain.

astonishingly quiescent

Uses a more formal word to describe a state of inactivity.

unexpectedly lingering

Focuses on something remaining longer than anticipated.

surprisingly remaining

Highlights the unexpected continuation or presence of something.

unexpectedly surviving

Emphasizes the persistence of something against difficult odds.

FAQs

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

You can use "unexpectedly still" to describe a situation where something is surprisingly motionless. For example, "The crowd was "unexpectedly still", as if holding its breath."

What are some alternatives to "unexpectedly still"?

Some alternatives to "unexpectedly still" include "surprisingly motionless", "surprisingly unmoving", or "unexpectedly quiet". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does "unexpectedly still" emphasize in a sentence?

"Unexpectedly still" emphasizes the surprise or lack of anticipation associated with the stillness. It suggests that movement or change was expected, but did not occur.

Is it redundant to use "unexpectedly" with "still"?

No, it's not necessarily redundant. "Still" indicates a continuation of a state, while "unexpectedly" highlights that this continuation is surprising or contrary to expectations. The combination creates a nuanced meaning that neither word carries alone.