ceased working

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ceased working" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It means to stop or end working on something. Example: After hours of troubleshooting, the computer finally ceased working and displayed a blue screen.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 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

When he was 5, one of his kidneys ceased working and had to be removed.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

He needed to cease working for a time and traveled extensively through Europe, the Caribbean, Australia, and Oceana.

Princeton University

Tattoos disappear and showers cease working -- there can be no more of either in New York after Auschwitz.

The New York Times - Books

While in this nearly frozen state, the frog's heart stops beating completely, its lungs cease working, and its brain activity is almost unmeasurable.

The New York Times

Society could set a basic income that rises with economy-wide productivity, and as workers' potential earnings fall below that reservation level they cease working.

The Economist

But Brad Smith, president of Microsoft, has said the company will not cease working with the Defense Department, a business relationship that he said dates back decades.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a formal or official end to employment, "ceased working" can add a level of professional distance compared to more casual alternatives like "stopped working".

Common error

Avoid using "ceased working" if the intention is to describe a temporary leave or break from work. This phrase typically implies a permanent or indefinite end to employment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ceased working" functions as a verb phrase, typically acting as the predicate of a sentence. Ludwig shows it describes the action of stopping or ending one's work or employment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ceased working" is a grammatically correct and commonly used verb phrase that indicates the termination of employment or work. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides numerous examples from reliable sources. While "stopped working" is a simpler alternative, "ceased working" often lends a more formal tone. It's important to use this phrase accurately, primarily for permanent endings rather than temporary breaks. Predominantly found in news, academic, and scientific contexts, "ceased working" serves to objectively report or discuss the end of work-related activities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stopped working

Replaces "ceased" with a more common synonym, "stopped".

no longer employed

Emphasizes the current state of not being employed.

stopped employment

Substitutes "working" with "employment", focusing on the state of being employed.

discontinued employment

A more formal way of saying that employment has ended.

left employment

Suggests a departure from a job or position.

terminated employment

Focuses on employment ending, often by employer decision.

gave up working

Implies a decision to discontinue working, often due to difficulty or discouragement.

became unemployed

Focuses on the transition to a state of unemployment.

went out of work

Highlights the state of not having a job.

retired from work

Indicates a voluntary cessation of work, usually due to age.

FAQs

What does "ceased working" mean?

The phrase "ceased working" means to have stopped or ended working, usually implying a permanent or indefinite end to employment or activity.

How can I use "ceased working" in a sentence?

You might say, "After the merger, many employees "ceased working" for the company" or "Due to health reasons, she "ceased working" as a surgeon".

What are some alternatives to "ceased working"?

You can use alternatives like "stopped working", "retired from work", or "left employment" depending on the specific context.

Is "ceased working" formal or informal?

"Ceased working" is generally considered more formal than alternatives like "stopped working", making it suitable for professional or official contexts.