was still

USAGE SUMMARY

"was still" is a perfectly valid and grammatically correct phrase in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is ongoing or continuing. For example, "He was still yelling despite the noise of the thunder."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

12% was still accessible.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Moveon.org was still active.

Cornell University

It was still warm.

University of California, Berkeley

There was still pain.

Harvard University

It was still '87.

Harvard University

It was still night.

Columbia University

It was still open.

The New Yorker

Erika was still single.

The New Yorker

There was still time.

The New Yorker

This was still Fox.

The New Yorker

He was still breathing.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was still" to clearly indicate that a state, condition, or action persisted up to a certain point in time. This helps maintain continuity and provides a clear sense of progression in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "was still" when referring to a state that has definitively ended. Instead, use "had been" or "used to be" to accurately reflect the past condition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was still" functions as an auxiliary verb phrase, indicating the continuation of a state or action in the past. As seen in the examples provided by Ludwig, it connects a subject with an ongoing condition or activity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Academia

29%

Science

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was still" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to indicate the continuation of a state or action in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and academic writing. When using "was still", ensure correct tense usage to avoid misrepresenting the timing of events. With its neutral register and clear meaning, it is a valuable tool for providing context and maintaining continuity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stayed

A simpler and more direct way of indicating that something remained in a particular state or location.

remained

Indicates a state of continuation, similar to "was still", but focuses more on the state itself rather than the action.

continued to be

Explicitly emphasizes the ongoing nature of a state or condition, providing a more formal alternative.

persisted

Highlights the endurance or continuation of something, often implying difficulty or resistance.

carried on being

Suggests that an action or state continued without interruption, focusing on the uninterrupted aspect.

endured

Emphasizes the ability of something to last or remain despite challenges or adversity.

was yet

Indicates something is pending or expected in the future from a certain point in time. Slight shift in meaning towards expectation.

lingered

Suggests something remained present longer than expected, often implying a sense of reluctance to leave.

held its position

Implies maintaining a condition against opposing forces, adding a sense of resistance or stability.

sustained

Highlights the preservation or maintenance of a condition, suggesting effort or support to keep it going.

FAQs

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

Use "was still" to indicate that something continued up to a particular time in the past. For example, "It "was still raining" when I left the house" shows the rain continued until the point of departure.

What alternatives can I use instead of "was still"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "remained", "continued to be", or "persisted" to convey a similar meaning. Each has a slight nuance in emphasis.

Is it correct to say "is still" instead of "was still"?

While "was still" refers to a continuing state in the past, "is still" indicates a continuing state in the present. The correct choice depends on the time frame you're discussing.

What is the difference between "was still" and "had been"?

"Was still" indicates something was ongoing at a specific time in the past, whereas "had been" describes a state that existed for a period leading up to a specific point in the past. For instance, "It "was still raining"" means it was raining at that moment, while "It "had been raining"" means it rained for some time before that moment.