ceased

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'ceased' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that something has stopped or been terminated, usually abruptly. For example, "The construction on the building ceased immediately after the announcement of a new city ordinance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But then, after all the sniffling had ceased, I asked myself: why should I cry about this?

The Guardian - Music

But in 21st-century Scotland – just as in the rest of the UK – labels such as "left" and "right", and even "unionist" and "nationalist", had long ceased to be useful.

The Guardian

European integration has long ceased to be animated by passions and ideals which could be viewed as distinctly Catholic.

The Guardian - Opinion

However, if the UK and other EU states had ceased some, if not all, of their trading activities since 2004, even if only temporarily to make the point, the hand of the international community at the outset of this crisis could have been strong and effective.

The Guardian - Opinion

International matches had finally ceased in February 1943 on the orders of Joseph Goebbels and his plans for "total war".

The Guardian - Sport

Japan ceased whaling in the Antarctic after the ruling, but has continued to hunt the sea mammals in the North Pacific, and now plans to propose a new round of 'scientific whaling' programmes at the IWC.

The Guardian

During the wet summer of 2012, Betty's signal abruptly ceased on the Yorkshire Dales.

The Guardian

He cites two studies, including one by a team of Swedish researchers in 2006 that examined the impact of anabolic steroid use on powerlifters years after they had ceased taking drugs.

The Guardian - Sport

The fact Lawrie had not been called back to hearings meant there was little opportunity to "ignore" the inquiry, and he and Spurr stopped corresponding with it when they ceased representing her, no longer having the resources to do so pro bono, Wyvill said.

The Guardian

Obsolete provisions from as far back as the 13th century continue to survive long after they have ceased to serve any useful purpose.

The Guardian

The profits from "credit" were taken by British Gas in cases where private or business customers had been overcharged on the basis of estimated bills, and then changed to another supplier, or ceased using British Gas for other reasons, with the outstanding sum owed to them still on their accounts.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ceased" to indicate a formal or definitive end to an activity, process, or state. It often implies a more permanent conclusion than "stopped".

Common error

While "ceased" is a valid word, using it excessively in informal conversations or writing can sound overly formal or stilted. Consider using simpler alternatives like "stopped" or "ended" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "ceased" is as the past tense of the verb "cease", indicating the termination or stopping of an action or state. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in numerous contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

16%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "ceased" functions as the past tense of the verb 'cease', indicating that an action or state has come to an end. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically sound and commonly used. While versatile, its formality leans towards neutral, often appearing in news and formal writing. For more casual contexts, consider alternatives like "stopped" or "ended". Usage patterns show it frequently appears in "News & Media", "Formal & Business", and "Science" contexts, as derived from the examples provided by Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

halted

Refers to a sudden or abrupt stop.

stopped

A general term for bringing something to an end.

ended

A simple and direct way to indicate the conclusion of something.

finished

Similar to ended, but can also imply a sense of completion.

terminated

Implies a formal or official ending.

discontinued

Suggests that something is no longer being produced or carried out.

concluded

Indicates the end of a process or activity, often after a period of time.

suspended

Suggests a temporary stoppage, with the possibility of resumption.

abandoned

Implies that something has been given up completely.

desisted

Formally means to abstain or refrain from something.

FAQs

What is a simple alternative to "ceased"?

Alternatives such as "stopped", "ended", or "halted" can replace "ceased" in many contexts, providing a more straightforward and accessible tone.

How does "ceased" differ from "suspended"?

"Ceased" implies a complete and potentially permanent end, whereas "suspended" suggests a temporary interruption with the possibility of resumption.

Is "ceased" appropriate for informal writing?

While grammatically correct, "ceased" can sound overly formal in informal contexts. Consider using more casual alternatives like "quit" or "finished" to maintain a natural tone.

Can "ceased" be used with a gerund?

Yes, "ceased" can be followed by a gerund (verb + -ing) to describe the action that has stopped. For example: "The company ceased operating last year".