ceased to flow

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ceased to flow" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something, such as a liquid or a process, has stopped moving or operating. Example: "After the heavy rain, the river ceased to flow, leaving the banks dry and exposed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Credit, the lifeblood of capitalism, ceased to flow.

The Washington Post

Since 1993, however, the once constantly flowing river has ceased to flow during the dry season.

University of California, Berkeley

The long-winded lady writes: During the recent heat wave, all air ceased to flow through the streets of New York City.

The New Yorker

The sometimes mighty river has ceased to flow again this summer – an increasingly regular occurrence in these reaches of the Murray-Darling system.

The Guardian

In recent decades, the Yongding River in Beijing has ceased to flow due to the impact of climate and anthropogenic factors, which has led to severe environmental degradation.

Journal of Hydrology

He once compared habits to water which "hollows out for itself a channel, which grows broader and deeper; and, after having ceased to flow, it resumes, when it flows again, the path traced by itself before".

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Food would cease to flow into the cities, water would cease to flow out of the taps.

Independent

The ocean is being fished out and despoiled, and its essential currents (tentatively mapped by early mariners) may cease to flow if global warming changes water temperatures.

The Washington Post

The pour of the oil is the lowest temperature at which it ceases to flow and loses its flow properties.

Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology

For the first production scenario, the in situ fluid is produced continually from the production well until it ceases to flow because of the reservoir depletion.

Geothermal Energy

It makes perfectly good sense: we call a body of water a river precisely because it consists of changing waters; if the waters should cease to flow it would not be a river, but a lake or a dry streambed.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing events or processes that have definitively stopped, use "ceased to flow" to emphasize the finality of the termination. For instance, 'After the dam was built, the river ceased to flow in its original channel.'

Common error

Avoid using "ceased to flow" in everyday contexts where simpler alternatives like "stopped" or "didn't flow" would suffice. Overusing formal language can make your writing sound unnatural or pretentious. For example, instead of 'The conversation ceased to flow', you could say 'The conversation stopped'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ceased to flow" functions as a verb phrase indicating the termination of movement or progression, typically of a liquid or something that can be described as flowing. As per Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ceased to flow" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe the termination of movement, particularly of liquids or processes, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. While not overly common, it finds appropriate usage in news, scientific, and academic writing, conveying a sense of finality. When considering alternatives, simpler options like "stopped flowing" might be preferred in less formal contexts. Remember to use it judiciously, and consider the overall tone and audience of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stopped flowing

Simple substitution of 'ceased' with 'stopped', indicating a more direct and common synonym.

halted its flow

Replaces 'ceased' with 'halted' and uses a possessive structure, emphasizing the flow's termination.

no longer flowed

Emphasizes that the action of flowing is not happening anymore.

stopped its movement

Substitutes 'flow' with 'movement', broadening the context beyond fluids.

dried up

Implies a complete cessation of flow, specifically for liquids in natural contexts.

was no longer in motion

Similar to 'stopped its movement', but phrased more passively.

came to a standstill

Indicates a complete stop, which can be applied more broadly than just liquids.

terminated its course

A more formal way of saying that something's flow has ended.

interrupted its flow

Focuses on the interruption rather than the complete stop. It could be a temporary cease of flow.

cut off the supply

Focuses on stopping the supply of something that flows, implying a more active intervention.

FAQs

How can I use "ceased to flow" in a sentence?

You can use "ceased to flow" to describe a situation where something, such as a river or a stream, has stopped moving or operating. For example, you might say, "The river "ceased to flow" during the drought".

What can I say instead of "ceased to flow"?

You can use alternatives like "stopped flowing", "dried up", or "halted its flow" depending on the context.

Is "ceased to flow" a formal way to say something stopped moving?

Yes, "ceased to flow" is generally more formal. In less formal contexts, "stopped flowing" or simply "stopped" might be more appropriate.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "ceased to flow"?

"Ceased to flow" is appropriate in contexts where you want to emphasize the complete and often final termination of movement, such as in descriptions of natural phenomena, historical events, or formal analyses.