cease it

USAGE SUMMARY

"Cease it" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward. You can use it in informal contexts where you want to tell someone to stop doing something. Example: "If you don't like the noise, just cease it." Alternative expressions include "stop it" and "halt it."

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Life does not cease; it merely changes.

The New York Times

"Why are doctors being injured without cease?" it asked.

The New York Times

"We got used to the gunfire — no need to cease it — but we will never get used to the absence of the detained and kidnapped people," he said.

The New York Times

"If you've been wise and found the blaze, look quickly down, your quest to cease," it reads.

Huffington Post

"If these statements do not cease, it will be necessary for me to take further action," Dotcom told the murder victim's family.

Vice

We ask you to confirm whether or not OIRA is continuing the recent practice of requiring agencies to get permission to submit individual rules for review, and if the policy is continuing, to direct OIRA to cease it.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

The liberation movement has never ceased: It's always been.

The New York Times

Yet many students say the violence has not ceased; it has just moved to the streets.

The Economist

The practice was unacceptable and we voluntarily ceased it nearly four years ago".

The Guardian - Business

"And he went up to them into the ship; and the wind ceased," it is written in Mark 6 51.

The New York Times - Science

"Once that demand ceases it may stabilise.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Substitute "cease it" for more common alternatives like "stop it" or "end it" for variety in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "cease it" in casual conversations or informal writing. It can sound overly formal or even unnatural. Opt for simpler alternatives like "stop it" or "cut it out".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cease it" primarily functions as an imperative, giving a direct command or instruction. It's used to order the termination of an action or behavior. The Ludwig AI indicates the phrase's grammatical acceptability despite its relatively uncommon usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cease it" is an imperative phrase used to command the termination of an action. While grammatically acceptable, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is less common than alternatives like "stop it" and can sound formal or abrupt. It appears most frequently in news, media, and scientific contexts. For more casual settings, consider more relaxed alternatives. Remember that while it's understandable in most contexts, you might want to select different phrasing based on register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stop that

A more direct and informal way to tell someone to stop doing something.

end it

A simple and direct way to say to stop something.

halt that

Similar to "stop that" but can imply a more immediate and forceful cessation.

discontinue it

A more formal term for stopping something, often used in business or official contexts.

terminate it

A formal term suggesting an official or decisive end to something.

put an end to it

Emphasizes the finality of stopping something.

bring it to a halt

Highlights the action of stopping something completely.

refrain from it

Suggests a more deliberate and conscious effort to avoid doing something.

desist from it

A formal and somewhat archaic way of saying to stop doing something, often used in legal contexts.

knock it off

An informal and somewhat forceful way to tell someone to stop doing something annoying.

FAQs

What does "cease it" mean?

The phrase "cease it" means to stop doing something. It's a command or instruction to discontinue an action.

When is it appropriate to use "cease it"?

It is appropriate to use "cease it" when you want to directly instruct someone to stop an action, especially in formal or serious contexts. However, consider that in informal situations a phrase like "stop it" may be preferable.

What are some alternatives to "cease it"?

Some alternatives to "cease it" include "stop it", "end it", "discontinue it", and "halt that" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "cease it" commonly used in everyday conversation?

While grammatically correct, "cease it" is not as commonly used in everyday conversation as simpler alternatives like "stop it". It can sound somewhat formal or archaic.