was motionless

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was motionless" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of being still or not moving, often in a narrative or descriptive context. Example: "The statue stood in the garden, was motionless, and seemed to watch over the flowers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"He was motionless".

The New York Times

She was motionless.

Independent

The victim was motionless.

The Guardian

Delfino was motionless for nearly 10 minutes.

The New York Times

"She was motionless, lifeless," Major Browning said.

The New York Times

In the hold everyone was motionless.

The New York Times - Magazine

Mr. Bertolini was motionless when his daughter found him.

The New York Times

A middle-age man was motionless on a stretcher.

The New York Times

When I went for an ultrasound during my 36th week of pregnancy, the screen was motionless.

The Washington Post

He turned and saw Begej, who was motionless, pressed against the driver's glass divider.

The New York Times - Sports

Above her, on one of the upper levels, the Byzantine box was motionless.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was motionless" to create a sense of drama or tension in your writing, particularly when describing a character's reaction to a shocking or unexpected event.

Common error

Avoid using "was motionless" in situations where a simpler phrase like "didn't move" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound overly dramatic or stilted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was motionless" functions as a descriptive phrase, with "was" acting as a linking verb connecting the subject to the adjective "motionless". It is used to attribute a state of stillness to a noun, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was motionless" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe a state of stillness or lack of movement. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is considered correct. Predominantly found in news and media, it serves to add emphasis or dramatic effect. While versatile, it's important to avoid overuse, opting for simpler alternatives when appropriate. Its neutral tone renders it suitable for various contexts, from formal reporting to descriptive narratives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remained still

Emphasizes the continuation of a state of stillness.

stayed unmoving

Highlights the absence of movement over a period.

did not move

A simple and direct way to express the lack of movement.

was stationary

Focuses on the lack of change in position.

was at rest

Suggests a state of peace and inactivity.

was frozen

Implies a sudden stop and complete lack of movement, often due to fear or shock.

became still

Indicates a transition into a state of stillness.

ceased moving

Emphasizes the termination of movement.

halted abruptly

Highlights a sudden and immediate stop.

stood transfixed

Suggests being unable to move due to fascination or surprise.

FAQs

How can I use "was motionless" in a sentence?

The phrase "was motionless" typically describes a state of being still or not moving. For example: "The injured player "was motionless" on the field, awaiting medical assistance."

What's a good alternative to "was motionless"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "remained still", "stayed unmoving", or "did not move" as alternatives to "was motionless".

Is it correct to say "he was motionlessly"?

No, "motionlessly" is an adverb and doesn't fit this sentence structure. The correct phrasing is "he "was motionless"", where "motionless" is an adjective describing his state.

What is the difference between "was motionless" and "became motionless"?

"Was motionless" describes a state of being still at a specific point in time, while "became motionless" indicates a transition into that state. For example, "He "was motionless" after the impact" versus "He "became motionless" after the impact."