ceased work

USAGE SUMMARY

"ceased work" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to stop working or to come to an end of work. Example: After completing the project, the team ceased work and celebrated their success with a party.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Construction workers on the job promptly ceased work.

Cornell University

The Visschers appear not to have been in possession from the time they ceased work.

Cornell University

The 2007 intelligence estimate that Iran had ceased work on a weapon was controversial from the beginning.

The New York Times

Up to 1765 the firm supplied furniture to King George III of England, but after Vile's retirement Cobb apparently ceased work for royalty.

Encyclopedia Britannica

What all these composers have in common, in fact, is that they more or less ceased work once the Nazis came to power.

The New York Times - Arts

The National Intelligence Estimate said that late in 2003 Iran ceased work on a weapons design — but it noted later that Iran was continuing to enrich uranium.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

The non-working synthesizer remains there to this day (it ceased working after a mid-1970s break-in damaged the equipment).

Columbia University

"The low cost carriers have ceased working their magic.

The New York Times

In 1970, Meir Benayahu ceased working as director of the institute for reasons that are unclear.

The New York Times - Magazine

Soon after 1900 her eyesight began to fail, and by 1914 she had ceased working.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In 1964, Holst ceased working for Britten in order to concentrate on her father's legacy.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ceased work" to indicate a formal or definitive end to a work activity. It is suitable for reports, articles, and professional correspondence where precision is important.

Common error

Avoid using "ceased work" in contexts where a temporary pause is intended. Alternatives like "paused work" or "suspended operations" are more appropriate for temporary interruptions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ceased work" functions as a verb phrase indicating the termination or suspension of labor or activity. It typically follows a subject, denoting who or what has stopped working, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "ceased work" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression that effectively conveys the termination or suspension of a work-related activity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s suitable for formal reports, news articles, and general communication. While alternatives like "stopped working" or "halted operations" may offer subtle variations in meaning, "ceased work" remains a reliable choice, especially when aiming for clarity and precision. It's frequently found in News & Media, Academic and Scientific contexts, while being less common in encyclopedias and wikis. Its neutral register makes it adaptable to a wide range of writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stopped working

Focuses on the action of stopping the working activity.

halted operations

Emphasizes the suspension of a broader set of activities beyond just work.

suspended activity

Highlights a temporary cessation rather than a permanent end.

terminated employment

Indicates a formal end to a work relationship.

discontinued efforts

Suggests a deliberate decision to end an endeavor or project.

finished the job

Implies completion rather than cessation due to other reasons.

relinquished duties

Suggests a formal handover or abandonment of responsibilities.

downed tools

More informal, suggesting stopping work, often due to a dispute or strike.

retired from service

Specific to ending a career or long-term work commitment.

abandoned task

Suggests leaving a job unfinished, often with negative connotations.

FAQs

How to use "ceased work" in a sentence?

You can use "ceased work" to indicate that someone or something has stopped working. For example, "The construction workers "ceased work" due to the heavy rain".

What can I say instead of "ceased work"?

You can use alternatives like "stopped working", "halted operations", or "discontinued efforts" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "ceased work" or "ceased working"?

Both "ceased work" and "ceased working" are grammatically correct, but "ceased working" might sound more natural in some contexts. The choice depends on the specific sentence structure and desired emphasis.

What's the difference between "ceased work" and "left the job"?

"Ceased work" generally refers to the stopping of an activity, whereas "left the job" indicates a more permanent departure from employment. "Ceased work" can be temporary or permanent, while "left the job" implies a resignation or termination.