a blanket moratorium

USAGE SUMMARY

"a blanket moratorium" is perfectly correct and usable in written English.
It is an idiomatic phrase meaning an absolute suspension of an activity or practice. For example, "The government issued a blanket moratorium on all construction in the area while they conducted an environmental impact study."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

A blanket moratorium, he argues, would have had the "perverse result" of giving a competitive advantage to vessels flying flags of convenience that ignore all regulations.

The Economist

This may not require a blanket moratorium, but it may mean delays to licensed shale gas activities to allow monitoring to be carried out".

The Guardian

The European Union ignored similar advice from the council last year, resorting to tighter quotas and a shortened fishing season instead of a blanket moratorium that would throw thousands of people out of work.

The New York Times

The president lifted a blanket moratorium on repatriations to Yemen — allowing for case-by-case determinations — and has appointed a prominent lawyer, Clifford Sloan, to help expedite the transfer of inmates to other countries.

Los Angeles Times

With vacant and abandoned homes more than three times as destructive to the values of neighboring homes as occupied homes that are just beginning the foreclosure process, a blanket moratorium would only slow down that progress.

Huffington Post

Another unintended consequence of a blanket moratorium on foreclosure sales, even where problems haven't yet been found, is that it could cause servicers to take their eyes off the ball when it comes to helping at-risk homeowners stay in their homes well before their problems reach the crisis of a foreclosure.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

But, he added, "a national, blanket moratorium on all foreclosure sales would do far more harm than good, hurting homeowners and home buyers alike at a time when foreclosed homes make up 25 percent of home sales".

The New York Times

But a national, blanket moratorium on all foreclosure sales would do far more harm than good -- hurting homeowners and home-buyers alike at a time when foreclosed homes make up 25percentt of home sales.

Huffington Post

As debate has dragged on, the commission has clung to the blanket moratorium that took effect in 1985.

The New York Times

"The blanket moratorium, with no parameters, seems to assume that because one rig failed and although no one yet fully knows why, all companies and rigs drilling new wells over 500 feet also universally present an imminent danger," wrote Judge Feldman, a 1983 appointee of President Ronald Reagan.

The New York Times

"The blanket moratorium, with no parameters, seems to assume that because one rig failed and although no one yet fully knows why, all companies and rigs drilling new wells over 500 feet also universally present an imminent danger," the judge wrote.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a blanket moratorium", clearly specify the activity to which it applies to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of just saying "a blanket moratorium", specify "a blanket moratorium on deep-sea drilling".

Common error

Avoid using "a blanket moratorium" when a temporary or partial suspension is intended. A "blanket moratorium" implies a complete and comprehensive halt. If you intend a temporary or partial stop, consider using phrases like "temporary suspension" or "partial moratorium".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a blanket moratorium" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes the act of imposing a comprehensive and unconditional suspension on a specific activity. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a blanket moratorium" is a noun phrase that signifies a complete and comprehensive suspension of an activity. It is grammatically correct and mainly used in news and media contexts to describe serious and decisive actions. While its occurrence is relatively rare, Ludwig AI confirms its validity in written English. If you want to express a similar concept, you can use phrases like "a complete suspension" or "a total ban". Ensure that you clearly specify the activity to which the moratorium applies to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a complete suspension

Emphasizes the idea of a temporary cessation, using 'suspension' which implies a potential return to activity.

a total ban

Focuses on prohibition, highlighting the restrictive aspect of stopping an activity, and removing the possibility of being temporary

an outright prohibition

Stresses the decisiveness and lack of exceptions in the ban.

a comprehensive halt

Highlights the extent to which the activity is stopped. 'Halt' is more abrupt than 'moratorium'.

a universal embargo

Suggests a broad restriction, often in a trade or political context.

a general freeze

Implies a static state where the activity is paused, often used in economic or financial contexts.

a sweeping cessation

Emphasizes the wide-ranging impact of stopping the activity.

an across-the-board cancellation

Highlights that everything is being dismissed or nullified

a full stop

Informal way to refer to a definitive termination of something

a wholesale termination

Highlights that something is being completely and permanently removed or destroyed

FAQs

What does "a blanket moratorium" mean?

The term "a blanket moratorium" refers to a complete and comprehensive ban or suspension of an activity, without exceptions.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "a blanket moratorium"?

Use "a blanket moratorium" when you want to emphasize that an activity is being completely stopped, with no exceptions or allowances.

What can I say instead of "a blanket moratorium"?

You can use alternatives like "a complete suspension", "a total ban", or "a comprehensive halt", depending on the context.

Is "a blanket moratorium" the same as a partial moratorium?

No, "a blanket moratorium" is not the same as a partial moratorium. A blanket moratorium is a complete and total ban, while a partial moratorium only restricts certain aspects of an activity.