an ongoing standoff

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an ongoing standoff" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where two parties are in a state of conflict or disagreement that has not been resolved and continues over time. Example: "The negotiations have reached an impasse, leading to an ongoing standoff between the two sides."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Because of an ongoing standoff between Congress and the White House, the commission lacks the quorum it needs to make such decisions.

The New York Times

Dover has been the scene of an ongoing standoff between anti-fascists and rightwing groups led by a resurgent National Front, according to Duncan Cahill of Hope Not Hate, an anti-racist organisation.

The Guardian

Strikes have continued at French oil refineries as part of an ongoing standoff with the government over labour reforms, as footage emerged apparently showing a middle-aged woman being pushed to the ground by a policeman.

The Guardian

Pakistan's request is an overtly political move in the context of an ongoing standoff with Afghanistan, which has long accused Pakistan of maintaining militant safe havens from where the Afghan Taliban are said to launch attacks against Afghan and U.S. forces.

The New York Times

Google has been in an ongoing standoff with the Chinese government over cybersecurity and Internet censorship.

Forbes

Google has been in an ongoing standoff with the Chinese government over cyber security and Internet censorship.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Turned down Reading earlier this year in favour of remaining on the south coast but a more established club may prove tempting and provide a solution to his ongoing standoff with the Seagulls.

The Guardian - Sport

A photo from the ongoing standoff between Russian and Ukrainian forces at the army base in Perevalnoe, Crimea.

Vice

A photo from the ongoing standoff between Russian and Ukrainian forces at the army base in Perevalnoe, Crimea.— VICE News (@vicenews)March 2 , 2014

Vice

More importantly, the ongoing standoff "is a tremendous subtle influence" for progressive change in China's governmental censorship policies.

Forbes

Protests at Standing Rock over the weekend resulted in 127 arrests amid clashes with police in the ongoing standoff over a proposed oil pipeline that would run through the area.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an ongoing standoff", ensure the context clearly indicates the parties involved and the subject of the dispute. Clarity is key to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "an ongoing standoff" for situations that have been quickly resolved. The phrase implies a sustained period of conflict or disagreement.

Linguistic Context

"An ongoing standoff" functions as a noun phrase, where "ongoing" modifies "standoff". It identifies a situation characterized by prolonged disagreement or conflict. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an ongoing standoff" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to describe a prolonged state of conflict or disagreement. According to Ludwig, it is versatile enough for both formal and informal contexts, appearing often in news reporting and business discussions. Alternative phrases include "continuing stalemate" and "persistent impasse". When using this phrase, ensure the prolonged nature of the conflict is clear and the involved parties are identified. Remember that while this phrase can be used in many scenarios, it implies that the situation has not been quickly resolved. Ludwig AI confirms the accuracy and broad applicability of this expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a continuing stalemate

Replaces "standoff" with "stalemate", emphasizing the lack of progress.

a prolonged confrontation

Substitutes "standoff" with "confrontation", highlighting the adversarial nature of the situation.

a drawn-out deadlock

Replaces "ongoing standoff" with "drawn-out deadlock", stressing the prolonged and unresolved nature of the situation.

a persistent impasse

Uses "impasse" instead of "standoff", indicating a point where agreement is impossible.

an unresolved dispute

Focuses on the lack of resolution in the conflict.

a protracted negotiation

Highlights the lengthy and often difficult nature of the talks.

a lingering conflict

Emphasizes the enduring nature of the conflict.

a sustained disagreement

Focuses on the continuing lack of agreement.

a lengthy period of tension

Shifts the focus to the heightened tension resulting from the situation.

a continuous contention

Replaces standoff with contention, indicating a state of argument or strife.

FAQs

How can I use "an ongoing standoff" in a sentence?

"An ongoing standoff" describes a prolonged state of disagreement or conflict. For example: "The negotiations reached an impasse, leading to "an ongoing standoff" between the parties involved."

What's a good alternative to "an ongoing standoff"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "continuing stalemate", "prolonged confrontation", or "persistent impasse".

Is it appropriate to use "an ongoing standoff" in formal writing?

Yes, "an ongoing standoff" is suitable for formal writing, particularly in news reporting or business contexts, where it objectively describes a prolonged conflict or disagreement.

What kind of situations does "an ongoing standoff" best describe?

The phrase "an ongoing standoff" is best used to describe situations where there is a sustained period of tension, disagreement, or conflict between two or more parties, and where resolution is not immediately in sight.