brought to a stop

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "brought to a stop" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something or someone has been halted or ceased movement. Example: "The car was brought to a stop by the sudden traffic light change."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

At Labour's conference next week this must be brought to a stop.

The Guardian

G.M. said that the vehicles "were safely brought to a stop" and that it was looking into the reports.

The New York Times

Haphazard digging was brought to a stop in 1860, when the Italian archaeologist Giuseppe Fiorelli became director of the excavations.

Encyclopedia Britannica

From the instant it enters the absorber, the particle slows down continuously until it is brought to a stop.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"The light is actually brought to a stop and stored completely in the atoms," Dr. Harris said.

The New York Times

The chain, which is operated by hydraulic machinery in the walls, then will pay out slowly by automatic release until the vessel has been brought to a stop.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

Unless the dispute is settled quickly, it could bring to a stop much of the country's overseas trade.The dispute centres on a single site, the Webb Dock, in Melbourne.

The Economist

In passing the Wildlife Conservation and Management Bill and Policy, the Cabinet directed that the measures be fully implemented to bring to a stop cases of poaching in the country and streamline management of wildlife services.

The Guardian

Those may be great lines, but surely the typical listener is slowed down by them if not brought to a full stop.

The New Yorker

Upon recognizing the risk, process plants are brought to a safe state in a timed manner whereas machines are immediately brought to a safe stop.

Overview of Industrial Process Automation

During "I'll Fly Away," though, he worked in an intricate fill that brought Brother Marvin to a stop.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "brought to a stop", ensure the subject clearly identifies what or who performed the action of stopping. For example, "The police brought the car to a stop" is clearer than "The car was brought to a stop."

Common error

Avoid using "brought to a stop" when the subject's own properties caused the cessation. Instead of "The malfunctioning brakes brought the car to a stop", use "The malfunctioning brakes caused the car to stop" or "The car stopped due to malfunctioning brakes".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "brought to a stop" functions as a passive verb phrase. It typically describes an action where something or someone is caused to cease movement or activity by an external force. Ludwig shows that it is used to describe both physical objects and abstract concepts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "brought to a stop" is a versatile passive verb phrase indicating the termination of movement or activity, as validated by Ludwig. Grammatically sound and widely used, it's found in diverse contexts from News & Media to Scientific publications. While synonyms like "halted" or "brought to a halt" exist, this phrase effectively conveys a sense of imposed cessation. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various writing styles. Therefore, the phrase is grammatically correct and well accepted. Use it confidently, but be sure it makes sense to specify by who or by what the stop action has been performed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

brought to a halt

A direct synonym, interchangeable in most contexts.

halted

A more concise, single-word alternative indicating abrupt cessation.

brought to a standstill

Emphasizes complete cessation of movement, often implying difficulty in restarting.

was stopped

Simplified passive form, losing some emphasis on the action of bringing to a stop.

brought to cessation

A more formal and less common way of saying something has ended.

terminated

Implies a planned or official ending, less about physical stopping.

put an end to

Focuses on the action of ending something, rather than the state of being stopped.

curtailed

Suggests a reduction or limitation, not necessarily a complete stop.

brought to a close

More appropriate for processes or events, rather than physical objects.

arrested

Suggests stopping the development of something.

FAQs

What does "brought to a stop" mean?

The phrase "brought to a stop" means that something or someone has been caused to cease moving or operating. It implies an external force or action that resulted in the cessation.

What can I say instead of "brought to a stop"?

You can use alternatives like "halted", "brought to a halt", or "brought to a standstill" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "stopped" or "brought to a stop"?

Both "stopped" and "brought to a stop" are grammatically correct. "Stopped" is more concise, while "brought to a stop" emphasizes the action or force that caused the cessation. The choice depends on the desired emphasis and context.

Can "brought to a stop" be used in both formal and informal writing?

Yes, "brought to a stop" is appropriate for both formal and informal writing. It is a common and widely understood phrase, as demonstrated by its use in various sources according to Ludwig.