as I stopped

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as I stopped" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a moment of pause or cessation of action, often leading to a subsequent thought or action. Example: "As I stopped to catch my breath, I noticed the beautiful scenery around me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

Such as? "I stopped going to the cinema.

The Guardian

As soon as I stopped wasting time clicking through photographs of strangers' wood-paneled rec rooms, my self-loathing decreased.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

As I stopped and turned around, my back and shoulders were hit continuously, and then I saw two metal pipes crashing down on my head.

The New Yorker

The piece had an impressive number of frills and tinkles and as I stopped to watch a woman in her 20s drifted over to listen with me.

The Guardian - Opinion

As I stopped for gas that morning, I thought that the last thing I needed was to get into an accident.

The New Yorker

"I felt at home as soon as I stopped in to meeting," said Mr. Lang, who at one time was a Christian scientist.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

As I stop at the next corner for a red light, two businessmen beside me also stop.

The New York Times

"I'll get back to that, as soon as I stop listening to [the soundtrack for] Hamilton – in 2021," Whedon joked.

The Guardian - Film

The California sun is shining as I stop at the gate outside the warehouse where the show "24" is written and filmed.

The New York Times

I expect my new space will have a positive impact on my productivity too – just as soon as I stop rearranging the furniture and get down to work.

The Guardian

As I stop to decipher a mass of multilingual posters – French, Arabic, Spanish, Portuguese, English and others – a short, silver-haired woman squeezes her way through the crowd.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as I stopped" to create a brief pause in your narrative, allowing the reader to anticipate the subsequent action or observation. This technique is effective for building suspense or shifting focus.

Common error

Avoid starting too many sentences with "as I stopped" in dialogue, as it can make characters sound repetitive and unnatural. Vary your sentence structure to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as I stopped" functions as an adverbial clause of time, modifying the main clause by indicating when something else happened. It sets the temporal context for the subsequent action or observation, as exemplified by Ludwig's numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Academia

6%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as I stopped" is a versatile and frequently used phrase that creates a temporal link between halting an action and the subsequent event or observation. According to Ludwig, it is considered grammatically correct and is widely found in diverse sources, particularly in News & Media. While alternatives exist, such as "when I paused" or "upon stopping", "as I stopped" provides a clear and immediate sense of sequence, making it suitable for various writing styles and narrative contexts. Its neutral register ensures its appropriateness across both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as I paused

This alternative indicates a temporary halt rather than a complete stop.

when I came to a halt

This alternative emphasizes the complete cessation of movement.

as soon as I quit moving

This alternative highlights the immediacy of the action after stopping.

upon my stopping

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the action of stopping.

the moment I ceased moving

This alternative highlights the precise instant movement ended.

while I was halting

This alternative places more emphasis on the duration of the pause.

when I suspended my activity

This alternative is more formal and refers to any kind of activity, not just movement.

when I broke stride

This alternative implies interruption in a rhythmic movement.

the instant I quit

This suggests abandonment of something, not necessarily in motion.

as I desisted

This alternative emphasizes a voluntary discontinuation, often formal.

FAQs

How can I use "as I stopped" in a sentence?

The phrase "as I stopped" is typically used to describe something that happens immediately after you halt an action. For example, "As I stopped to admire the view, I realized I was lost."

What can I say instead of "as I stopped"?

You can use alternatives like "when I paused", "upon stopping", or "the moment I ceased moving" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "as I was stopping" instead of "as I stopped"?

While grammatically correct, "as I was stopping" implies a continuous action leading to a stop, whereas "as I stopped" refers to the moment the action ceased. The better option depends on the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "as I stopped" and "when I stopped"?

"As I stopped" implies immediacy, while "when I stopped" is more general and could refer to something that happened shortly after stopping, but not necessarily at the precise moment.