He sat still for an hour.

Meaning: He didn't move for 60 minutes.

Choice of Words: Sat means to be in a position where your body is supported by your bottom and your back is straight. Still means not moving. For means during a period of time. An hour is a period of 60 minutes.

Alternative Expressions

He remained motionless for sixty minutes.

Meaning: This means the same as the first sentence, that he didn't move from his spot for an hour. It's like saying, He didn't move a muscle for the entire hour.

Choice of Words: Remained means to stay in the same place or condition. Motionless means not moving. For indicates a period of time. Sixty minutes is another way to say an hour. When you put them together, "He remained motionless for sixty minutes" means he stayed in the same position without moving for an hour.

He was like a statue for the duration of one hour.

Meaning: This is a more creative way to say that he didn't move for an hour. It's like saying, He was so still, he could have been mistaken for a statue.

Choice of Words: Statue is a figure that is made to look like a person or animal and is usually made of stone or metal. Duration means a period of time. One hour is a unit of time equal to 60 minutes. When you put them together, "He was like a statue for the duration of one hour" means he stayed very still and didn't move, just like a statue, for an hour.

Related Expressions