very still

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "very still" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of complete lack of movement or sound, often in a poetic or descriptive context. Example: "The lake was very still, reflecting the trees like a perfect mirror."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He was very still.

The New Yorker

Things became very still.

The New Yorker

He's also very still.

The New York Times - Arts

It is very still.

The New Yorker

Their faces were very still.

The New Yorker

Her pictures were very still".

The New York Times

He sat very still.

The New Yorker

Takamatsu was very still.

The New York Times - Magazine

He turns very still.

The Guardian - Film

He sits very still.

The New Yorker

Hold very still.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "very still" to emphasize a deliberate lack of movement, often in situations requiring focus or observation. For instance, 'To photograph the hummingbird, you need to remain very still.'

Common error

Avoid using "very still" with other adjectives that already imply stillness, such as "motionless statue". It's redundant to say "a very still, motionless statue" since the word "motionless" already means "without movement".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very still" functions primarily as an adverbial modifier describing the state of a noun or pronoun. As Ludwig AI confirms, it denotes a state of limited or no movement. For example, "He was very still" uses the phrase to describe the subject's lack of motion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Wiki

12%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "very still" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to emphasize a lack of movement or sound. Ludwig AI confirms it's correct and usable in written English. It is versatile, appearing in news, media, and academic contexts, as shown by Ludwig's examples. While generally neutral, it's crucial to avoid redundancy with similar adjectives. Using it effectively can enhance descriptions and add depth to narratives by highlighting moments of quietude or immobility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

perfectly motionless

Emphasizes the complete absence of movement.

absolutely immobile

Underscores the inability to move or be moved.

utterly quiet

Focuses on the absence of sound rather than movement.

entirely unmoving

Similar to 'motionless', but emphasizes a continuous state.

stone still

Compares the stillness to that of a stone, emphasizing lack of movement.

completely tranquil

Highlights the peaceful and calm aspect of stillness.

perfectly silent

Stresses the lack of any noise or sound.

dead still

Implies an eerie or unnatural stillness.

perfectly placid

Describes a calm and undisturbed state.

eerily silent

Highlights a strange or unsettling quietness.

FAQs

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

You can use "very still" to describe someone or something that is not moving, such as "The cat was "perfectly still" as it stalked its prey" or "She remained "eerily silent", not daring to breathe.".

What are some alternatives to "very still"?

Some alternatives to "very still" include "perfectly motionless", "stone still", "completely tranquil", or "absolutely immobile", depending on the specific context.

Is "very still" formal or informal?

"Very still" is generally considered to be neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal writing, you might consider using a more sophisticated synonym such as "perfectly placid" or "entirely unmoving".

What's the difference between "very still" and "perfectly still"?

While both "very still" and ""perfectly still"" describe a lack of movement, "perfectly still" often implies a more complete or absolute stillness. "Very still" can suggest a high degree of stillness, but "perfectly still" suggests there is no movement whatsoever.