cease talking

USAGE SUMMARY

'cease talking' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to politely ask someone to stop talking. For example, if someone is chatting away during a lecture, you can say “Can you please cease talking?”.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Similarly, Cashman would cease talking to the Expos if the Yankees signed Clemens.

The New York Times - Sports

When the hotel elevator doors opened, all 317 pounds of the Jets rookie defensive tackle Dewayne Robertson stepped inside, in full uniform, causing a Japanese family of four to cease talking and back farther into the elevator.

The New York Times - Sports

The teen formerly-known-as-chatty will suddenly cease talking, but replace it with other noises.The chattering and questioning give way to door slamming and heavy sighs, peppered with an occasional grumble and furious tap-tap-tapping of texts (probably all about you).

Huffington Post

As part of this, cease talking about TV shows and characters altogether.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Gradually, I ceased talking much at all when we were out together".

The New Yorker

In France, intellectuals probably take their disputes more personally than in the United States, and Sartre and Aron formally ceased talking.

The New York Times

Rather, like the best interviewers, she holds her shots for several seconds after someone has ceased talking, knowing that silence, like an empty belly, demands to be filled.

The New York Times

They focus on his "cosmopolitan" phase, after he made the pilgrimage to Mecca and ceased talking about organizing rifle clubs for self-defense.

The New Yorker

But as the company matured and its back story became more complicated, its labor and business practices drew sharp criticism and the company all but ceased talking to the news media.

The New York Times

''I ceased talking much at all.'' When Eugene Meyer passed voting control of Washington Post stock to his son-in-law, Mrs. Graham writes, she didn&apos t even think to object.

The New York Times - Books

In 2000, after he appointed a Presidential advisory panel, which included Duesberg and other denialists, to study the cause of AIDS, he was so brutally repudiated by world leaders and public-health professionals that he essentially ceased talking about the issue.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cease talking" when a polite, yet firm, instruction to stop talking is needed. This phrase is especially useful in formal settings or when addressing someone with respect.

Common error

Avoid using "cease talking" in informal situations. Opt for simpler alternatives like "stop talking" or "be quiet" in casual conversations to avoid sounding overly formal or stilted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cease talking" functions as an imperative, used to directly request or command someone to stop speaking. It is a more formal way to express a request for silence, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cease talking" is a grammatically correct phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, used to politely or formally ask someone to stop speaking. While not very common, it appears in a variety of contexts, including News & Media and Wiki articles. It carries a more formal tone than simpler alternatives like "stop talking" or "be quiet". When writing, remember that using it in casual situations may sound unnatural, so it's best reserved for more formal or professional contexts. Ludwig's examples and analysis highlight its suitability for situations where a polite, yet firm, instruction is needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stop talking

More direct and commonly used.

be quiet

A simple and direct command to stop speaking.

fall silent

Describes the action of becoming silent.

become silent

Describes the transition to a state of silence.

quit talking

More informal than "cease talking".

hush

A command for silence, often used for children.

refrain from speaking

More formal and emphasizes self-control.

discontinue speaking

A more formal way to say stop talking.

break the silence

Indicates to end silence and starts speaking.

hold your tongue

Implies restraining oneself from saying something.

FAQs

How can I politely ask someone to "cease talking"?

You can politely ask someone to "cease talking" by saying something like, "Could you please "refrain from speaking" for a moment?" or "Would you mind "stopping talking", please?"

What is a more formal alternative to "cease talking"?

A more formal alternative to "cease talking" is "discontinue speaking" or ""refrain from speaking"". These options are suitable for professional or academic contexts.

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

It is appropriate to use the phrase "cease talking" in formal settings, such as meetings, lectures, or when addressing someone in a position of authority. It conveys a polite, yet firm, request for silence.

Is "cease talking" considered rude?

While "cease talking" is a polite way of asking someone to stop talking, its formality can be perceived as slightly stern or direct depending on the context. In casual settings, gentler alternatives like "be quiet" or "stop talking" may be more appropriate.