cease to operate

USAGE SUMMARY

"cease to operate" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to stop functioning or working. Example: After years of wear and tear, the old machine finally ceased to operate.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

An Oxfordshire coach and bus operator has announced it will cease to operate ahead of an expected move into administration.

BBC

Not all government would cease to operate.

The Guardian

At that point, the company would cease to operate".

The New York Times

The UK company will cease to operate and hand back its licence/permission to the FCA.

The Guardian - Money

The industry will cease to operate from July next year following a transition period.

The Guardian

ATMs might cease to operate while there is uncertainty about the currency.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

From August 31st this year, it ceased to operate.

The Economist

It ceased to operate in April 1947.

Cornell University

In 1996, the firm ceased to operate, apparently because of financial distress.

Columbia University

Despite fierce opposition from all industry fronts, the council ceased to operate in June 2010.

The Guardian

But it has ceased to operate after the government in effect banned balanced reporting.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cease to operate", ensure the context clearly defines what is stopping and why. For instance, "the factory will cease to operate due to financial constraints" provides a clear understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "cease to operate" in very informal contexts. Phrases like "stop working" or "shut down" might be more appropriate in casual conversations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cease to operate" functions as a verb phrase, specifically an infinitive phrase. It describes the action of stopping or discontinuing an activity or process. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is commonly used in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Academia

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cease to operate" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase that means to stop functioning. It is versatile and suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, business, and scientific writing. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is generally well-received. While highly frequent, consider the context and choose synonyms like "stop working" or "shut down" in informal situations. Remember to clearly specify what is ceasing to operate and the reason, for clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become inoperative

Focuses on the state of being unable to function.

discontinue functioning

More formal and emphasizes the interruption of a function.

terminate operations

More formal and business-oriented.

stop working

More informal and general; applies to various contexts.

halt activity

Highlights the stopping of an action or process.

be deactivated

Implies a deliberate action to stop something from working.

shut down

Implies a controlled or deliberate cessation.

be suspended

Indicates a temporary cessation of operation.

go out of business

Specifically refers to a company or business ending its operations.

grind to a halt

Suggests a gradual slowing down before stopping completely.

FAQs

What does "cease to operate" mean?

The phrase "cease to operate" means to stop functioning or working. It indicates that something has come to an end in terms of its operational status.

How can I use "cease to operate" in a sentence?

You can use "cease to operate" to describe the end of a business's activities, a machine's functionality, or a service's availability. For example: "The company will "cease to operate" at the end of the year."

What can I say instead of "cease to operate"?

You can use alternatives like "stop working", "shut down", or "discontinue functioning" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "ceases to operate" or "cease to operate"?

Both are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "Cease to operate" is the infinitive form, often used with "will" or "to". "Ceases to operate" is the third-person singular present tense form, used when the subject is singular (e.g., "the machine ceases to operate").