at stall

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at stall" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to refer to a specific location or situation, but without additional context, it is unclear when it could be used. Example: "The car is parked at stall 5 in the parking garage."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

"The job market's operating at stall speed.

The New York Times

Irene Lam (852-9639-3084) for peatlstallstall 278 of Jade Market, Kowloon.

The New York Times - Travel

Friday's jobs report was suggestive of an economy at stall speed.

The New York Times

At stall No. 41, Jiang Meiyun, the proprietor, said that she had bargained, through a translator, with the former President.

The New Yorker

"When you have an economy operating at stall speed facing these headwinds, it does not take much to tip it over the edge," he said.

The New York Times

At stall after stall, manned by eager staff, companies sell films such as Attack of the Killer Donuts and Selfie from Hell.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Understandably, he was expressing frustration at stalled negotiations over Turkey's accession to the European Union.

The New York Times

At Staller, about 30 shows, produced on a break-even budget of $1.75 million, will be presented.

The New York Times

The Stony Brook Film Festival is at Staller Center on the Stony Brook campus of the State University of New York.

The New York Times

Housewives, food critics and bohemian artists rub shoulders easily at stalls or in cosy cafes.

The Guardian - Travel

Normal reactions -- irritation at stalled traffic, peevishness at pedestrians who stopped in the middle of the sidewalk -- were muted.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the state of an economy, consider using the more precise term "stall speed" to indicate slow growth and avoid misinterpretations of the phrase "at stall".

Common error

Do not use "at stall" when describing a general lack of progress. Instead, opt for clearer alternatives like "at a standstill" or "stalled" to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at stall" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, often used to modify a noun or verb, indicating a location or condition. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase "at stall" is not the most grammatically correct or common usage, potentially leading to ambiguity.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "at stall" isn't strictly incorrect, it's not the most common or clear way to express a state of being stalled or located in a stall. Ludwig AI suggests the usage is incorrect, and the analysis of real-world examples reveals it's less precise than alternatives like "at a standstill" or "in a stall". When describing slow economic growth, "stall speed" is a preferred term. Therefore, writers should consider context and opt for clearer, more widely accepted phrasing to avoid ambiguity. Some authoritative sources do employ the phrase, it's less common and may cause confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at a standstill

This alternative suggests complete cessation of movement or activity, emphasizing a static state.

in a stall

Indicates physical containment or location within a designated area.

inoperative

Describes something not functioning or capable of operation.

not functioning

This alternative describes something that isn't working correctly.

suspended

Indicates a temporary cessation or interruption of activity.

operating in neutral

Specifically refers to the state of a vehicle or machinery not engaged in gear, implying inactivity.

deadlocked

Emphasizes a condition where progress is blocked by opposing forces or a lack of resolution.

at a crawl

Describes very slow progress or movement, almost halted.

in the doldrums

This idiomatic expression refers to a state of inactivity or stagnation, particularly in business or creative endeavors.

marking time

This idiom suggests engaging in activity that makes no real progress, merely filling time.

FAQs

What does "at stall" mean in economics?

In economics, it's more common to use the term "stall speed" to describe an economy that is growing very slowly, close to a standstill. Using "stall speed" provides more clarity than "at stall".

How can I use "at stall" in a sentence about machinery?

While not grammatically incorrect in specific contexts, it's more conventional to say a machine is "in a stall" or has "stalled". For example, "The engine is currently "not functioning" after stalling."

Is "at stall" grammatically correct?

While the phrase "at stall" isn't inherently wrong, it's less common and can sound awkward. More standard phrasing might be "at a standstill" or simply "stalled" depending on the context. Ludwig AI identifies this phrase as not correct.

What are some better alternatives to "at stall" for describing a halted process?

Consider using alternatives like "at a standstill", "deadlocked", or "suspended" to describe a process that has stopped. These options are more commonly used and easily understood.