To terminate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "To terminate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to indicate the act of ending or concluding something, such as a contract, service, or process. Example: "The company has decided to terminate the contract due to non-compliance with the terms."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

To terminate its own life?

The New Yorker

To terminate unwinding, a neutralising solution was added.

BMC Biotechnology

tries to terminate the deal.

The New York Times

Sad to terminate.

The Guardian - Books

It plans to terminate its pension plans.

The New York Times

They chose to terminate their contracts.

The Guardian

The decision was made to terminate LEP.

The Guardian

"They wanted me to terminate, but I wouldn't.

The Guardian - Film

The company reserves the right to terminate for excessive usage.

The New York Times - Tech

"Instead, the state made the decision to terminate.

The New York Times

Now it may be time to terminate the program altogether.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prefer "to terminate" over more informal alternatives when writing formal communications. Its professional tone is appropriate for sensitive subjects that need to be discussed with precision.

Common error

Avoid using "to terminate" in casual conversation. Simpler words like "end" or "stop" are more appropriate and natural in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to terminate" functions primarily as an infinitive verb phrase. It's used to express the action of ending or concluding something. Ludwig provides examples across various domains, affirming its broad applicability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to terminate" is a versatile infinitive verb phrase used to denote the act of ending something, often with a sense of formality. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and applicability across diverse contexts, notably in news, science, and business. While frequently used, it's best reserved for formal settings, with simpler alternatives preferred in casual conversation. It's important to ensure clarity regarding what is being terminated to avoid ambiguity. Given it's professional tone, prefer "to terminate" over more informal alternatives when writing formal communications on sensitive subjects.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

To bring to an end

Focuses on the act of actively causing something to end.

To put a stop to

Emphasizes halting or preventing continuation.

To discontinue

Highlights the interruption of an ongoing process.

To cease

Suggests a more formal or definitive ending.

To conclude

Implies reaching a final decision or outcome.

To finish

Focuses on completing a task or process.

To halt

Implies a sudden or abrupt stop.

To abolish

Suggests the formal ending of a system or practice.

To dissolve

Emphasizes the breaking up or disintegration of something.

To invalidate

Focuses on rendering something without legal force or effect.

FAQs

What does "to terminate" mean?

The phrase "to terminate" means to bring something to an end, whether it's a contract, a process, or employment. It often implies a formal or definitive ending.

What can I say instead of "to terminate"?

You can use alternatives like "to end", "to conclude", or "to discontinue" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "to terminate" in informal settings?

While grammatically correct, "to terminate" is generally more suitable for formal or professional contexts. In informal settings, simpler words like "end" or "stop" may be more appropriate.

What is the difference between "to terminate" and "to end"?

While both phrases mean to bring something to a stop, "to terminate" often carries a stronger connotation of finality and is typically used in more formal or official contexts than "to end".