cease operating

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cease operating" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the stopping of a machine, system, or organization from functioning. Example: "Due to the lack of funding, the organization will cease operating at the end of the month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

The company will cease operating with immediate effect".

The Guardian - Business

The 91 outlets will cease operating by Monday, with the loss of 808 jobs.

Independent

But the company now has weeks to cease operating its Pop service or risk heavy fines.

The Guardian - Tech

The company also agreed to stop taking in money from outside investors, and to cease operating as an investment adviser.

The New Yorker

Venezuelans are preparing to go on vacation this month, when many businesses and institutions virtually cease operating.

The New York Times

But lawyers for US Airways maintained that it could cease operating by mid-February unless the cuts were granted.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

The fund ceased operating in 2007.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The coal-fired power station ceased operating in March last year after dominating the skyline around Didcot since 1970.

The Guardian

Renaissance Cruises ceased operating yesterday, becoming the industry's first casualty of the terrorist attacks.

The New York Times

In February 2004, the business ceased operating after Simi claimed he could not afford the £270,000-a-year rent.

Independent

Through an agreement with federal prosecutors, she avoided jail time, and the AVMT ceased operating in 1995.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cease operating" when you want to clearly and formally state that an entity, be it a business, system, or organization, is stopping its activities. This phrase is particularly useful in official announcements or reports.

Common error

While "cease operating" is relatively formal, avoid replacing it with overly technical jargon or informal slang that might obscure the meaning. Choose synonyms like "discontinue operations" or "shut down" based on the context to maintain clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cease operating" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as part of a larger clause. It indicates the termination or discontinuation of an activity, process, or business, functioning as the core action within a statement. Ludwig AI provides various real-world examples of this usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cease operating" is a grammatically correct and common way to describe the termination of activities, particularly in business, news, and formal contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples across diverse sources. While generally formal, the precise register and context can be adjusted through semantically related alternatives, such as "discontinue operations" or "shut down". It's important to avoid overly technical or informal substitutions to maintain clarity. The phrase is used to inform or announce a stop to business activity. Its high frequency in news and business contexts indicates its widespread acceptance and relevance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Discontinue operations

Formal alternative, emphasizing a planned or official halt to business activities.

Terminate operations

Formal and indicates a final and complete ending of activities.

Shut down

More general and can apply to various types of operations, not just business.

Halt operations

Similar to "cease operating", but may imply a temporary suspension.

Close down

Informal and common, suggesting the closure of a business or service.

Go out of business

Specifically refers to a business ceasing its operations due to financial failure or other reasons.

Suspend operations

Implies a temporary halt, with the possibility of resuming later.

Wind up

British English term for bringing a business to an end.

Stop functioning

General term applicable to machines, systems, or organizations.

Be non-operational

Describes a state of not being able to function, often due to technical issues.

FAQs

What does "cease operating" mean?

"Cease operating" means to stop or discontinue functioning. It's often used in business or official contexts to indicate that an organization or system is halting its activities.

What can I say instead of "cease operating"?

You can use alternatives like "discontinue operations", "shut down", or "terminate operations" depending on the formality and context.

Is "cease operating" a formal phrase?

Yes, "cease operating" is generally considered a formal phrase, suitable for business reports, news articles, and official announcements. Less formal alternatives include "stop working" or "shut down".

How to use "cease operating" in a sentence?

Example: "Due to financial difficulties, the company will "cease operating" at the end of the fiscal year." Other examples can be found on Ludwig.