cease contact

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cease contact" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when instructing someone to stop communicating or interacting with another person or entity. Example: "Due to the ongoing issues, we have decided to cease contact with the vendor until further notice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

If a person chooses to cease contact with a relative, protecting their privacy can be tricky.

The New York Times

The day Bernie was arrested, Jeff Wilpon e-mailed Mark right away, but soon lawyers for the Wilpons suggested that Jeff cease contact with Mark.

The New Yorker

It seems profoundly counter-productive to cease contact with precisely that section of Israeli society most likely to provoke a change in direction within Israel".

The Guardian

"Would it treat new volunteers any better than it treated the previous Friends?" They claim that the museums' board suddenly decided to "cease contact with the voluntary group".

BBC

Ford continued to contact her after the encounter until she wrote an email asking him to cease contact.

Huffington Post

New York Times reporter Eric Lichtblau exposed the problematic Bulletin but the DOJ retaliated by yanking Lichtblau's press pass, and the FBI ordered its 56 field divisions to cease contact with the reporter.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

The family are trying to come to terms with this situation and although they appreciate the wide public and press interest in this matter, can I appeal for the press to cease contacting the family at their home.

The Guardian

Mr. Sachs pledged to cease contacting state officials on behalf of clients for the duration of the Cuomo administration after an article in The New York Times in February raised questions about potential conflicts between his business interests and his work for the Cuomo administration.

The New York Times

Hamas called on the Palestinian Authority leaders to cease contacts with the Israelis after Mr. Dweik's rearrest, and the Palestinian negotiators submitted a letter calling on Israel to release Mr. Dweik and more than 20 other Hamas legislators in Israeli detention, along with prisoners arrested before the Israeli-Palestinian accords of May 1994, women and others.

The New York Times

Since Ms. Brooks's resignation, she and the prime minister have ceased contact, according to the newspaper.

The New York Times

I ceased contact with him following an unpleasant incident several years ago, and I do not want to contact him.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone to stop communicating with another party, be direct and clear by using "cease contact". This avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Instead of saying "Contact should be ceased", use the active voice: "You must cease contact". The active voice makes the instruction clearer and more direct.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cease contact" functions as a directive or instruction, where 'cease' acts as a verb meaning 'to stop', and 'contact' is the noun indicating the object of the action. Ludwig AI confirms this usage across numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cease contact" is a grammatically sound phrase used to instruct or declare the termination of communication. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While not extremely frequent, it commonly appears in news, scientific, and wiki-based sources, indicating a formal or serious intent. When using this phrase, clarity is key, and passive voice should be avoided. Alternative phrases like "discontinue communication" or "end communication" can be considered based on context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

discontinue communication

This alternative emphasizes the act of stopping communication, similar to "cease contact".

halt communication

This phrase implies a sudden stop to communication.

cut off communication

This emphasizes a complete and often abrupt end to communication.

end communication

This suggests a final termination of communication.

break off contact

This phrase implies a deliberate action to end communication or a relationship.

desist from contacting

This is a more formal way of saying to stop contacting someone.

terminate relations

This phrase implies a formal ending of a relationship, going beyond just communication.

refrain from communication

This suggests a conscious effort to avoid communicating.

suspend communication

This suggests a temporary halt to communication, implying a possible resumption later.

avoid communication

This implies actively preventing any communication from happening.

FAQs

What does "cease contact" mean?

"Cease contact" means to stop all forms of communication or interaction with someone or something. It implies a deliberate decision to end or avoid any further connection.

How do I politely ask someone to "cease contact"?

You can politely request someone to "cease contact" by saying, "I would appreciate it if you could "discontinue communication" with me at this time" or "Please "refrain from contacting" me further."

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "cease contact"?

It's appropriate to use "cease contact" when you want to clearly and definitively end communication, such as in cases of harassment, legal disputes, or personal estrangement. It is often used when "terminating relations".

What are some alternative phrases to "cease contact"?

Alternatives to "cease contact" include "discontinue communication", "end communication", "break off contact", or "avoid communication". The best choice depends on the specific context.