a total embargo

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a total embargo" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a complete prohibition on trade or other exchanges with a particular country or entity. Example: "The government has imposed a total embargo on all imports from the nation due to ongoing conflicts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

For another thing, "Game of Thrones" had dragons, and I place a total embargo on dragons.

The New Yorker

By the time a total embargo had been placed on snipments to Israel last January, seven had been deliv ered.

The New York Times

But instead, YPG-controlled territory in Syria finds itself placed under a total embargo by Turkey, and PKK forces are under continual bombardment by the Turkish air force.

The Guardian - Opinion

Unable to agree to treaty terms with Britain, Jefferson tried to coerce both Britain and France into ceasing to violate "neutral rights" with a total embargo on American exports, enacted by Congress in 1807.

Britannica

As laid out by Mr. Rhodes, the American position sounded a lot like what Russia said about a "total embargo" — although no one ever called for one — on exports of refined petroleum products (read gasoline and diesel fuel) to Iran.

The New York Times

A week after the House vote that killed U.S. aid to the Contras, the Administration, by executive order, imposed a total embargo on trade with Nicaragua&terminated the Treaty of Friendship, Commerce&Navigation which had existed between the 2 countries Reagan declared "a national emergency because of the extraordinary threat to the national security posed by Nicaragua.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

The United States has not purchased oil from Iran for many years, but Mr. Obama has stopped short of advocating a global total embargo, which could lead to confrontations at sea.

The New York Times

We potted up oil, to a point that when I became minister of mineral and energy affairs I was briefed that we had enough oil in own mines etc, plus the Sasol process, to withstand a successful total embargo of oil for four years.

The Guardian

A significant tool is the total embargo of Syrian oil exports by Syria's main customer base, Western Europe.

Huffington Post

Even a total trade embargo, by most economists' reckoning, could be withstood for three or four years.

The New York Times

Gordon Brown today called for a total arms embargo on Zimbabwe as he denounced Robert Mugabe's attempts to steal last month's presidential election.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about international relations or economic policy, use "a total embargo" to clearly convey a complete prohibition of trade or interaction with a specific entity.

Common error

Avoid using "a total embargo" interchangeably with sanctions that only partially restrict trade. "A total embargo" implies a complete cessation, not just a reduction or limitation of economic activity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a total embargo" functions as a noun phrase. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and refers to a complete prohibition, often in the context of international trade or politics. Examples in Ludwig illustrate its use in describing trade restrictions and political actions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a total embargo" is a grammatically sound noun phrase denoting a complete prohibition of trade or other interactions. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While not exceedingly common, it appears regularly in news, science, and encyclopedia contexts. When using the phrase, ensure you are accurately portraying a complete cessation of activity, not a partial restriction. Consider alternatives like "complete embargo" or "full embargo" for variety, but be mindful of subtle differences in connotation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

complete embargo

Replaces "total" with "complete", maintaining the meaning of an absolute prohibition.

full embargo

Substitutes "total" with "full", indicating a comprehensive and unrestricted embargo.

absolute embargo

Emphasizes the unrestricted nature of the embargo by using "absolute".

blanket embargo

Implies the embargo covers a wide range of items or activities without exception.

comprehensive embargo

Highlights the thorough and all-encompassing nature of the embargo.

trade ban

Simplifies the phrase to a more direct term, focusing on the prohibition of trade.

economic blockade

Uses a term that suggests a forceful prevention of economic activity.

complete trade isolation

Describes the effect of the embargo as isolating a country economically.

strict trade prohibition

Highlights the severity and legally enforced nature of the trade restriction.

unrestricted embargo

Focuses on the lack of limitations or exceptions in the embargo.

FAQs

What does "a total embargo" mean?

The phrase "a total embargo" refers to a complete prohibition on trade and economic activity with a specific country, entity, or product. It signifies that no goods, services, or financial transactions are allowed.

What are some alternatives to using "a total embargo"?

You can use alternatives like "complete embargo", "full embargo", or "absolute embargo" to convey a similar meaning.

How does "a total embargo" differ from general sanctions?

While both are punitive measures, "a total embargo" is more severe. Sanctions can be partial or targeted, while "a total embargo" represents a complete halt to all economic interactions.

Is it correct to say "an total embargo"?

No, the correct article to use before "total" is "a", not "an". Therefore, the proper phrasing is "a total embargo".