cease abruptly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cease abruptly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action or process that stops suddenly and unexpectedly. Example: "The music began to fade, only to cease abruptly, leaving the room in silence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Yes, the subway, the lifeblood of the city, can be made to cease abruptly.

The New York Times

The celebrations cease abruptly with the entry of Scarpia, his henchman Spoletta and several police agents.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

In 13 seconds, all radioed data from the shuttle ceased abruptly.

The New York Times

Alekhine preferred to play Botvinnik, but negotiations for that ceased abruptly in September 1939.

The Guardian - Sport

In what may be another sign, Castro's published "Reflections" ceased abruptly in June.

The New Yorker

Saint Laurent's youth, his mother told Benaïm, "ceased abruptly in 1958," when the embalming fluid of celebrity started flowing in his veins.

The New Yorker

Kloester said: "There is no record of a response … but Georgette later noted that 'the horrible copies of my books ceased abruptly'".

The Guardian - Books

The urgent onward flow of her days ceased abruptly; the sensation was as if something — her soul — had floated to the front of her forehead, while she sank down, breathing differently, vastly.

The New Yorker

Newspaper articles about the annual June 15 memorial services ceased abruptly in 1914 and did not reappear until 1920, by which time the Triangle fire was fast achieving iconic status as the city's, and even America's, most memorable blaze.

The New York Times

In one, flow ceased abruptly and, in the second, flow declined gradually in a linear fashion before stopping.

Duke University

However, in 1979 the meetings ceased abruptly when the Big Brother was detained on suspicion of molesting young boys.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cease abruptly" when you want to emphasize the sudden and unexpected termination of an action, process, or state. This phrase is suitable for formal writing and can add a sense of urgency or surprise.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "cease abruptly" can sound overly formal or stilted in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "stop suddenly" or "end quickly" in informal settings to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cease abruptly" functions as a verbal phrase, typically acting as the predicate of a sentence or clause. It describes an action (ceasing) and modifies it with an adverb (abruptly) to indicate the manner in which the action occurs. As Ludwig AI shows, this phrase suggests a sudden and unexpected termination.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

17%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cease abruptly" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a sudden and unexpected termination. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is suitable for formal contexts and conveys a sense of immediacy. While not exceedingly common, it appears in various sources, including News & Media, Science, and encyclopedias. Consider using simpler alternatives like ""stop suddenly"" in more informal settings. Keep in mind that while the phrase is valid, overusing it can make your writing sound stilted, so vary your vocabulary to maintain a natural and engaging tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stop suddenly

This alternative replaces "cease" with "stop", emphasizing the suddenness of the action.

halt immediately

This alternative substitutes "cease" with "halt" and "abruptly" with "immediately", highlighting the instantaneous nature of the stop.

cut short

This alternative uses an idiomatic expression to indicate a sudden interruption or termination.

terminate unexpectedly

This alternative replaces both words with synonyms, focusing on the unexpected nature of the termination.

discontinue sharply

This alternative conveys a sense of abruptness through the adverb "sharply".

end without warning

This alternative highlights the lack of prior indication of the cessation.

come to an immediate halt

This alternative rephrases the action with a more descriptive and emphatic expression.

be brought to a sudden stop

This alternative uses a passive construction to describe the abrupt cessation.

abruptly discontinue

This alternative reverses the order of words to change the sentence structure.

suddenly finish

This alternative changes "cease" and "abruptly" with simpler words.

FAQs

How can I use "cease abruptly" in a sentence?

You can use "cease abruptly" to describe the sudden ending of an action or state. For instance, "The music began to fade, only to "stop suddenly", leaving the room in silence."

What are some alternatives to "cease abruptly"?

Alternatives include "stop suddenly", "halt immediately", or "cut short" depending on the context.

Is "cease abruptly" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "cease abruptly" is appropriate for formal writing, as it clearly and precisely conveys the idea of a sudden termination. However, consider your audience and the overall tone you want to achieve, as simpler alternatives might be preferable in less formal contexts.

What is the difference between "cease abruptly" and "end suddenly"?

While both phrases convey a similar meaning, "cease abruptly" might sound more formal than "end suddenly". "Cease" implies a more definitive or official stopping, while "end" is a more general term.