are designed to stop

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are designed to stop" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing the purpose or function of an object, system, or process that is intended to prevent something from happening. Example: "The safety mechanisms in the machinery are designed to stop any potential hazards before they can cause harm."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

Barriers in the driveway are designed to stop cars, not foxes.

The New York Times

Some device models are designed to stop users from installing and using modified software.

The Guardian - Tech

The rainscreens are designed to stop mould developing and to ensure good air quality.

The Guardian

These brakes are designed to stop the car quickly, but not so abruptly as to cause injury.

The New Yorker

To prevent overinflation, which strains the seams and can cause leaks, Aero pumps are designed to stop at maximum inflation.

The New York Times - Travel

These systems are designed to stop a free fall of up to six feet while limiting the forces imposed on the wearer.

Princeton University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

The remainder is designed to stop vehicles.

Independent

The Tideway tunnel is designed to stop most of that.

The Guardian

Laws should be designed to stop likely evils; it's true, not every possible evil.

The New Yorker

"The TIP report was designed to stop the traffickers operating with impunity," he says.

The Guardian

The so-called margin control mechanism is designed to stop BT undercutting rivals.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are designed to stop", ensure the context clearly identifies what is being prevented and the mechanism or feature that facilitates this prevention. For example, "The emergency brakes are designed to stop the train quickly and safely."

Common error

Avoid implying an absolute guarantee of prevention. Instead of "are designed to stop all errors", a more accurate statement might be "are designed to minimize errors" or "are designed to stop most common errors".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are designed to stop" functions primarily as a declarative statement outlining the intended purpose or functionality of a particular system, mechanism, or process. It indicates that something has been specifically created or adapted to prevent a certain outcome. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Academia

23%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

8%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are designed to stop" is a versatile and commonly used expression that indicates the intended purpose of something to prevent a specific action or event. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and suitable for a wide range of contexts. Analysis of numerous examples reveals its prevalence in news media, academic writing, and scientific literature. While synonymous alternatives like "are intended to prevent" exist, "are designed to stop" offers a direct and clear way to communicate a preventive function. It's important to avoid overstating the guarantee of prevention when using this phrase, and to clearly identify what is being prevented and how.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are intended to prevent

Replaces 'designed' with 'intended' and 'stop' with 'prevent', focusing on the intention to avoid something.

are engineered to prevent

Substitutes 'designed' with 'engineered', highlighting the technical aspect of prevention.

are built to inhibit

Uses 'built' instead of 'designed' and 'inhibit' instead of 'stop', suggesting a structural or inherent restraining function.

are constructed to impede

Employs 'constructed' and 'impede' to convey a deliberate effort to obstruct or hinder.

have been created to block

Uses 'created' and 'block' to indicate a purpose of obstructing or preventing access.

are made to avert

Replaces 'designed' with 'made' and 'stop' with 'avert', emphasizing the deflection of something undesirable.

serve to preclude

Uses 'serve' and 'preclude' to indicate the action prevents something from happening or arising.

aim to halt

Replaces 'designed' with 'aim' and 'stop' with 'halt', highlighting the intention to bring something to a standstill.

function to suppress

Uses 'function' and 'suppress' to emphasize the operational aspect of inhibiting or restraining.

are purposed to curb

Replaces 'designed' with 'purposed' and 'stop' with 'curb', signifying a limiting or restraining function.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "are designed to stop"?

You can use alternatives like "are intended to prevent", "are meant to halt", or "are engineered to prevent depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "are designed for stopping"?

While grammatically acceptable, "are designed to stop" is more concise and commonly used. "Are designed for stopping" places more emphasis on the action of stopping, but can sound less direct.

What is the difference between "are designed to stop" and "are intended to stop"?

The phrases "are designed to stop" and "are intended to stop" are nearly synonymous. "Designed" emphasizes the planning and construction, while "intended" emphasizes the purpose or goal. The choice depends on which aspect you want to highlight.

In what contexts is "are designed to stop" most appropriate?

"Are designed to stop" is suitable in technical, scientific, and general contexts where you want to explain the function of a device, system, or process that prevents something undesirable from occurring.