ceasing to try

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ceasing to try" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of stopping efforts or attempts towards a particular goal or task. Example: "After numerous failed attempts, she felt that ceasing to try was the only option left for her."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The Oxford-based research showed that between June 2011 and March 2014, more than 1.9m sanctions were imposed on people receiving jobseeker's allowance (JSA), with 43% of those sanctioned subsequently ceasing to try to claim the benefit.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Though judged by others a pretty crude piece of kit, it was his passion, and he never ceased to try to perfect it.This compulsive tinkering was inborn.

The Economist

But a small number of people who are either long-lasting sectarians, or new to the sectarian game, saw the opportunity, and have not ceased since to try to manipulate them.

The Guardian

Ceasing to eat.

WikiHow

Both imply a need to allow emotions to be present and cease any efforts to try to remove them.

Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice

As part of a settlement allowing them to merge, Borland and Ashton-Tate were required to cease trying to enforce copyright of the look and feel of their programs.

The Economist

Eventually, as with my patient, even higher and higher doses cease to feel good as users try in vain to recapture the initial high.

The New York Times - Health

Israel must soon decide whether to accept an Egyptian-brokered cease-fire with Hamas to try to stop the continuous rocket and mortar fire from Gaza.

The New York Times

When their icons cease to be facsimiles, we stop trying to replicate analog behaviors.

TechCrunch

"Where most animals would try to escape, or cease to behave in this situation, the dung beetles accept these disruptions and will continue to roll and dance all day long," the zoologist Emily Baird told National Geographic in 2012.

The New Yorker

Hitherto, the West has only been offering the lifting of economic and financial sanctions imposed to try force Iran to cease its nuclear programme.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ceasing to try" when you want to emphasize a deliberate or final decision to stop attempting something, often after repeated efforts have failed.

Common error

Avoid using "ceasing to try" in informal contexts where simpler alternatives like "giving up" or "quitting" would be more appropriate. It can sound overly formal or stilted in casual conversation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ceasing to try" functions as a gerund phrase, acting as a noun. It describes the act of stopping an attempt or effort. Ludwig confirms the grammatical correctness of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ceasing to try" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe the act of stopping an attempt or effort. While Ludwig identifies it as usable, its frequency is relatively rare, and it leans toward a more formal tone. Alternatives like "giving up" or "quitting" are often more appropriate in informal settings. The phrase's primary function is to express the termination of effort, often conveying resignation or a strategic shift. Remember to consider the context and desired tone when choosing between "ceasing to try" and its simpler synonyms.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

giving up

This is a more common and direct way of saying someone has stopped trying.

quitting

This is a simple and direct synonym for giving up.

stopping the effort

This emphasizes the action of halting exertion towards a goal.

abandoning the attempt

This suggests a more formal and deliberate decision to quit.

relinquishing the effort

This implies a formal or unwilling surrender of effort.

stopping attempting

This is a more verbose and less common way to express the same idea.

desisting from trying

This is a more formal and less common alternative.

ending the pursuit

This implies giving up on a longer-term goal or objective.

forsaking the endeavor

This suggests a complete abandonment of a significant undertaking.

withdrawing from the effort

This suggests a more calculated or strategic retreat.

FAQs

What does "ceasing to try" mean?

The phrase "ceasing to try" means to stop making an attempt or effort to do something; to give up on a task or goal.

What can I say instead of "ceasing to try"?

You can use alternatives like "giving up", "quitting", or "abandoning the attempt", depending on the context.

How can I use "ceasing to try" in a sentence?

Example: "After numerous failures, the company considered "ceasing to try" to enter the new market."

Is "ceasing to try" formal or informal?

"Ceasing to try" tends to be more formal than alternatives like "giving up" or "quitting" and is more appropriate for formal writing or speech.