unusually still

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unusually still" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or environment that is notably quiet or motionless, deviating from what is typically expected. Example: "The forest was unusually still, as if all the creatures had paused to listen."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

He was unusually still, moving only to bring the drink to his lips and back down again.

The New York Times - Magazine

More unusually still, Bigelow has worked throughout her career in that traditional male stronghold, the action adventure genre.

The Guardian

The face he presents to camera is fine and unusually still - perfect for a BBC television correspondent: undistracting.

The Guardian - Books

More unusually still, Mr Qimani has been invited to air his views on television, including on one programme where he challenged any cleric to an open debate.

The Economist

By dusk, the streets of West Jerusalem were unusually still for a balmy evening as Israelis holed up inside their homes.

The New York Times

Annan does have a curiously movie-star presence, flawlessly crisp and unusually still, but five years after leaving office he remains a more commanding presence in world affairs than Ban Ki Moon.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Most of Western Europe's potential for new large-scale hydropower development has already been tapped, and countries like Germany and Denmark invested in wind turbines only to discover during the unusually hot, still summer that the wind may not always blow when it is most needed.

The New York Times

I regretfully missed Frank Langella's performance this winter at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, but I did catch Simon Russell Beale, an English stage actor of supple wit, as an unusually spry, still-middle-aged Lear in Sam Mendes' slick staging at London's National Theatre this spring.

Los Angeles Times

Consumption is still unusually low (and investment unusually high) as a share of China's GDP.

The Economist

Global monetary policy is still unusually lax by historical standards.

The Economist

Not technically, but it's still unusually bad.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "unusually still" when you want to draw attention to a physical state or environment that defies normal expectations of movement or noise. It is particularly effective in narrative writing to build atmosphere or tension before a significant event.

Common error

Avoid using this phrase when you mean something is 'still' in the sense of 'continuing to be'. For example, do not write 'he is unusually still a student' when you mean he has been a student for an unusual length of time. In those cases, 'still' acts as a temporal adverb, not a descriptive adjective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unusually still" functions as an adverb-adjective pair where the adverb "unusually" modifies the adjective "still". According to Ludwig, it serves to qualify the degree of stillness by indicating a departure from the norm.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "unusually still" is a grammatically sound and effective way to describe a notable lack of motion or sound. Ludwig AI confirms its presence in highly authoritative sources, where it is used to describe everything from market conditions and political atmospheres to physical environments and human behavior. It is most frequently employed in News & Media to emphasize a state that contrasts with the expected hustle or noise of a situation. When using this phrase, writers should ensure they are using "still" as a descriptive adjective rather than a temporal adverb to maintain clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

eerily calm

suggests a stillness that is unsettling or ominous

remarkably quiet

shifts the focus from lack of motion to lack of sound

singularly motionless

more formal and emphasizes a total absence of movement

atypically tranquil

implies a peaceful or pleasant deviation from normal activity

unwontedly serene

uses more literary vocabulary to describe a peaceful state

exceptionally static

suggests a technical or structural lack of change

surprisingly breathless

often used to describe weather conditions with no wind

strangely dormant

implies a state of inactivity that could be temporary

unnaturally placid

suggests a smoothness or calm that feels forced or artificial

curiously hushed

emphasizes the auditory aspect of a still environment

FAQs

How to use "unusually still" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe people or environments, such as: "The crowd was "unusually still" as the performer took the stage."

What is the difference between "unusually still" and "eerily calm"?

While "unusually still" is a neutral observation of lack of motion, "eerily calm" adds a layer of psychological discomfort or a feeling that something is wrong.

What can I say instead of "unusually still"?

Depending on the context, you might use "remarkably quiet", "strangely motionless" or "exceptionally placid".

Is "unusually still" formal or informal?

It is a neutral phrase that works well in both formal reports and creative writing. Ludwig shows its frequent use in high-quality journalism like The Guardian and The New York Times.