was relatively stable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was relatively stable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation, condition, or state that has not changed significantly over a period of time. Example: "The economy was relatively stable during the last quarter, showing only minor fluctuations."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

People assumed Syria was relatively stable compared to Egypt.

The Washington Post

The level of concern was relatively stable across the board.

The New York Times

The tax treatment of debt was relatively stable.

The Economist

yr BP when sea level was relatively stable.

Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology

The mass flow of North-South layout was relatively stable.

Applied Thermal Engineering

"When we first starting filming, Joel's health was relatively stable," Osit told me.

The New Yorker

For a long time, researchers believed that interest was relatively stable.

The New Yorker

Indeed, by 2011 the situation in Iraq — as former Governor Bush said — was relatively stable.

The New Yorker

But over that period, the return on those assets was relatively stable.

The Washington Post

Enrollment in parochial schools, while it had declined considerably since the mid-1960's, was relatively stable.

The New York Times

In the 25 years before her death in 2003, at the age of 70, Simone was relatively stable and prolific.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was relatively stable", ensure the context provides a clear reference point for comparison. What is it stable compared to, and over what timeframe?

Common error

Avoid using "was relatively stable" when describing situations with clear fluctuations or variations. Be precise in representing the degree of stability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was relatively stable" functions as a descriptive modifier, typically used to qualify a noun or subject. It indicates a state of limited change or fluctuation over a period. Ludwig examples show its use in describing conditions, economies, and measurements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

49%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was relatively stable" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a condition or situation that exhibited minimal change over a specific period. According to Ludwig, it is frequently used in scientific and news contexts to convey a sense of consistency or equilibrium. While the phrase does not denote perfect constancy, it indicates that variations were small enough to consider the subject largely unchanged. When using "was relatively stable", ensure you provide clear context and avoid overstating the degree of stability. Alternatives like "remained steady" or "was fairly consistent" can offer similar meanings with slight variations in nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was fairly consistent

Emphasizes consistency over a period, slightly different from stability.

remained quite steady

Highlights the steadiness or lack of significant movement.

showed little variation

Focuses on the absence of significant changes or deviations.

exhibited a stable pattern

Implies an observable pattern of stability over time.

demonstrated a steady state

Suggests a balance or equilibrium that remains constant.

maintained a constant level

Highlights the maintenance of a specific level without significant change.

held steady

A more concise way of expressing that something remained stable.

did not fluctuate significantly

Directly addresses the lack of significant fluctuations.

was in equilibrium

Indicates a state of balance where opposing forces are equal.

experienced minimal change

Emphasizes the small degree of change observed.

FAQs

How can I use "was relatively stable" in a sentence?

Use "was relatively stable" to describe a condition or situation that didn't change much over a period, for example: "The patient's condition "was relatively stable" throughout the night."

What are some alternatives to "was relatively stable"?

Alternatives include "remained steady", "was fairly consistent", or "showed little variation", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "was stable" or "was relatively stable"?

"Was stable" implies complete stability, while "was relatively stable" suggests a degree of stability with minor fluctuations. The choice depends on the accuracy needed for your description.

What does it mean when something "was relatively stable"?

It means that something experienced minimal change or fluctuation over a specific period. It's not perfectly constant, but variations were small enough to consider it mostly unchanged.