a deadlock

USAGE SUMMARY

'a deadlock' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation in which two opposing parties cannot come to an agreement. For example, "The divorce negotiations had reached a deadlock over custody arrangements."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Just got into a deadlock.

The New Yorker

It was a deadlock".

The New York Times

IT IS supposed to break a deadlock.

The Economist

"Now we are in a deadlock".

Independent

CODESA concluded months later, in a deadlock.

The New Yorker

A deadlock on further liberalisation encourages backsliding.

The Economist

"A deadlock," Mr. Li called it.

The New York Times

Neither can be implemented, creating a deadlock.

The Guardian

"We still have a deadlock on finance.

The Guardian

The polls are frozen in a deadlock.

The Guardian - Opinion

The industry is currently in a deadlock.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In technical writing, specifically computer science, use the term to describe a specific error where two processes are waiting for each other to release resources.

Common error

Do not use "a deadlock" to describe a simple delay or a slow process. A deadlock implies a total and mutual blockage. If progress is just slow, consider using terms like "bottleneck" or "slowing down" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a deadlock" serves as a noun phrase consisting of an indefinite article and a common noun. In the examples provided by Ludwig, it typically functions as the direct object of a verb (e.g., "reach a deadlock") or follows a preposition (e.g., "in a deadlock"). Ludwig AI confirms its status as a correct and usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1.5%

Encyclopedias

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "a deadlock" is a versatile and essential noun phrase used to describe situations of complete standstill. According to Ludwig AI, it is most commonly found in professional and journalistic writing to detail political conflicts, legal disputes, or technical glitches in computing. While synonyms like "an impasse" or "a stalemate" exist, "a deadlock" remains the standard choice for describing a situation where mutual dependency leads to a halt. Its high frequency in authoritative sources like The New York Times and Stanford University underscores its importance in serious discourse. Writers should feel confident using this phrase to add weight and precision to descriptions of stalled progress.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an impasse

Refers specifically to a situation where progress is impossible because the parties cannot agree.

a stalemate

Commonly used in gaming or strategic contexts to indicate a draw where no one can move.

a standoff

Focuses on the confrontational nature of the two parties waiting for the other to yield.

a gridlock

Often used for traffic or legislative processes where multiple overlapping paths are blocked.

a standstill

Describes a complete cessation of movement or activity without necessarily implying conflict.

a logjam

A metaphorical term for a crowded situation where one blockage stops everything behind it.

a bottleneck

Identifies a specific point of congestion rather than the state of the entire system.

a halt

A more general term for a stop in progress.

an obstruction

Implies a deliberate or physical block preventing forward motion.

a catch-22

Describes a paradox where the solution is impossible due to contradictory rules.

FAQs

How to use "a deadlock" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a stalled situation, such as: "The committee reached "a deadlock" after hours of debate."

What can I say instead of "a deadlock"?

Depending on the context, you might use "an impasse", "a stalemate", or "a gridlock".

Is it "in a deadlock" or "at a deadlock"?

Both are used, but "in "a deadlock"" is more common when describing the state of a group, while "reached "a deadlock"" describes the point at which progress stopped.

What is the difference between "a deadlock" and "a stalemate"?

While often interchangeable, "a stalemate" is more common in sports or games like chess, whereas "a deadlock" is frequently used in business, politics, and computing.