a general freeze

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a general freeze" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where there is a widespread halt or suspension of activities, often in a specific context like economics or operations. Example: "Due to the economic downturn, the company announced a general freeze on hiring new employees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

That directive has been returned to HHS as part of a general freeze on all last-minute Bush Administration actions, an official said.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Negative stimuli led to a general "freezing" of motor activity, which led to a slowing of RT (de Houwer & Tibboel, 2010; Estes & Verges, 2008).

Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology

This makes an initial general freeze on recruitment – which would, of course, be adjusted over time to take account of priority requirements – a foregone conclusion.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

The Trump administration already has put the first such step in place, imposing a general hiring freeze on the federal workforce — with exceptions for positions involving national security or public safety.

The Washington Post

Although inflation remains severe — the Government re cently imposed a general price freeze and the costs of bread, apples and meat are double those in Britain there is also mounting worry about how to handle threatened strikes by Government workers, including policemen.

The New York Times

In general, freeze tolerant species are those that terrestrially overwinter in sub-zero temperatures, as opposed to avoiding freezing in deep water bodies [ 60].

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Or is it just a general deep-freeze in hypocrisy?

Huffington Post

Stenhouse surmised that, after repairs in New Zealand: "if we could leave Lyttleton (sic) at the end of February, with luck and a quick passage south we might make Hut Point before the general freezing of the Sound".

Wikipedia

"This is the first shot across the bow for all government agencies with significant budgets to rein in their spending," he said, calling it "a typical jackhammer response: a general crackdown or freeze on all types of spending all across the board.

The Guardian

A general model of freeze tolerance suggests that ice formation is restricted to extracellular spaces, resulting in osmotic dehydration of cells [3].

Plosone

As a general rule, small lakes freeze over earlier than rivers, and ice persists longer on lakes in the spring.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a general freeze", clearly specify the area or activity being frozen to avoid ambiguity. For example, "a general freeze on hiring" or "a general freeze on spending".

Common error

Avoid using "a general freeze" without specifying what is being frozen. Saying simply "there is a general freeze" can be confusing. Provide context, such as "a general freeze on new projects" or "a general freeze on salary increases".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a general freeze" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a state of widespread suspension or restriction. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's considered grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Wiki

6%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a general freeze" is a grammatically sound and commonly used term to describe a widespread suspension or restriction. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is usable in various contexts, particularly in news, science, and formal business settings. To ensure clarity, it's crucial to specify what exactly is being frozen. While alternatives like "a broad suspension" or "a widespread halt" exist, "a general freeze" effectively conveys the breadth and scope of the suspension in question.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a broad suspension

Replaces "freeze" with "suspension", emphasizing temporary cessation.

a widespread halt

Substitutes "freeze" with "halt", suggesting a complete stop.

an across-the-board restriction

Replaces "general freeze" with a more formal term, indicating comprehensive limitations.

a blanket ban

Emphasizes a prohibition across all areas.

a comprehensive moratorium

Uses "moratorium" to signify a temporary prohibition, often in official contexts.

a total standstill

Highlights the complete cessation of activity.

a universal cessation

Focuses on the termination of activities on a universal scale.

a complete shutdown

Indicates a full closure or cessation of operations.

a sweeping prohibition

Conveys a wide-ranging ban on specific actions or activities.

a global freeze

Specifies that the freeze is applicable globally.

FAQs

What does "a general freeze" mean?

The term "a general freeze" typically refers to a widespread halt or suspension of activities, resources, or processes, often within a specific context such as budget, hiring, or prices.

How can I use "a general freeze" in a sentence?

You can use "a general freeze" to describe situations like: "The company implemented a general freeze on all new projects", or "The government imposed a general price freeze to combat inflation".

What are some alternatives to "a general freeze"?

You can use alternatives like "a broad suspension", "a widespread halt", or "an across-the-board restriction" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "a general freeze" in formal writing?

It is appropriate in formal writing when discussing policies, economic measures, or operational changes that involve a broad and comprehensive suspension. Ensure you provide sufficient context to clarify what exactly is being frozen.