was stationary

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was stationary" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not moving or is fixed in place, often in a past context. Example: "The car was stationary at the traffic light when the accident occurred."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"I felt like I was stationary.

The New York Times - Sports

The flanker was stationary when he received the ball, and two defenders were on to him.

The Guardian - Sport

(They flanked him whenever he was stationary, underscoring his under-average height).

The New Yorker

When Einstein produced his Field Equations it was believed that the universe was stationary – neither expanding nor contracting.

The Guardian

I was fine when I was stationary, but as soon as I had to move, the performance fell apart.

The Guardian

15 per cent admitted to having carried out personal grooming when their vehicle was stationary.

Independent

As I passed – on that side; it was stationary in traffic – I asked the driver why he felt the sticker was needed.

The Guardian

The Google car was stationary in a queue of traffic when it was hit by the vehicle travelling at 17mph, according to an accident report filed by Google.

The Guardian - Tech

Sea Shepherd's founder, Paul Watson, accused the whalers of deliberately ploughing into the front of the boat while it was stationary.

The Guardian

Soon the Escalade was stationary behind a truck that had a metal plate on its back door that said "Great Dane," a trademark.

The New Yorker

His technical title was stationary fireman, but I never say that because then people think he was a fireman.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a past event, "was stationary" clearly indicates that an object or person was not moving at a specific point in time. Use this phrase to provide clarity and precision, especially when contrasting it with a previous or subsequent state of movement.

Common error

Avoid using "was stationary" when you mean "was stationery". "Stationary" refers to being still, while "stationery" refers to writing materials. The subtle spelling difference has a significant impact on the meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was stationary" functions as a descriptive phrase, indicating the state of being unmoving or fixed in place at a specific time. Ludwig provides examples where it's used to describe vehicles, objects, and even abstract concepts as being still.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

42%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was stationary" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe the state of being unmoving. Ludwig confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples from diverse sources, including news, science, and encyclopedias. Be sure to avoid confusion with "stationery", which refers to writing materials. When you need to indicate that something was not moving at a specific point in time, "was stationary" is a clear and effective choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remained still

Emphasizes the continuation of a state of stillness.

stayed motionless

Highlights the absence of movement over a period of time.

was immobile

Focuses on the inability to move.

was unmoving

Directly describes the lack of movement.

halted

Implies a sudden stop and subsequent lack of motion.

came to a standstill

Describes the process of stopping until completely still.

was fixed in place

Highlights that something is secured and unable to move.

was static

Emphasizes the unchanging nature of the state.

ceased moving

Indicates a stop of a previous movement.

was at rest

Suggests a state of calm and inactivity.

FAQs

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

Use "was stationary" to describe something that was not moving at a particular time. For instance, "The car "was stationary" at the red light" or "The pendulum "was stationary" before it was pushed".

What can I say instead of "was stationary"?

You can use alternatives such as "remained still", "stayed motionless", or "was immobile" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "was stationary" or "were stationary"?

The correct form depends on whether you are referring to a singular or plural subject. Use "was stationary" for a singular subject (e.g., "The car "was stationary"") and "were stationary" for a plural subject (e.g., "The cars "were stationary"").

What's the difference between "was stationary" and "was stationery"?

"Was stationary" describes something that is not moving. "Was stationery" is grammatically incorrect; the correct term for writing materials is simply "stationery".