completely stop

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "completely stop" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to emphasize that something has stopped completely, without any remaining action or movement. Example: The car completely stopped at the red light.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Labrie replied they didn't completely stop.

The Guardian

I would hate to completely stop.

The New York Times - Books

"It's impossible to completely stop our break," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

They also typically needed help after something happened to completely stop or dramatically reduce their benefits.

Independent

While infiltration did not completely stop, Indian officials conceded it had declined.

The New York Times

If it takes long enough, I break out in a sweat and often completely stop breathing.

The Guardian - Opinion

He's their best scorer, and you can't completely stop him because he changes speeds so instinctively".

The New York Times - Sports

If you're lucky, you get to make twenty-four episodes a season and completely stop sleeping or showering.

The New York Times

"To completely stop venting, they're going to have to put some sort of equipment back in service," he said.

The New York Times

These kinds of devices would be unlikely to completely stop many of the deliberate mass shootings that regularly make headlines.

Independent

"Our goal was to completely stop copper theft," said State Representative Guy Liebmann, who wrote Oklahoma's law.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "completely stop", ensure the context requires emphasis on the finality of the cessation. Overuse can weaken its impact.

Common error

Avoid using "completely stop" when a simple "stop" suffices. Redundancy can make writing sound awkward or unnatural. For example, instead of saying "The rain completely stopped", simply say "The rain stopped".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "completely stop" functions as a verb phrase where "completely" is an adverb modifying the verb "stop". This construction emphasizes the thoroughness of the action's cessation. Ludwig shows various examples where this phrase is used to denote a full and definitive end to an activity or process.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

29%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "completely stop" is a grammatically correct and commonly used verb phrase that serves to emphasize the finality and thoroughness of an action's cessation. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage spans across various contexts including news, science, and general writing, making it a versatile choice. While it's important to avoid redundancy by ensuring the emphasis is necessary, "completely stop" effectively conveys a sense of absolute termination. Its neutral register makes it suitable for diverse writing styles, and related phrases like "entirely cease" or "absolutely halt" can offer nuanced alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

entirely cease

Replaces 'stop' with 'cease', emphasizing a formal and complete ending.

absolutely halt

Substitutes 'stop' with 'halt', suggesting a sudden and forceful termination.

fully discontinue

Emphasizes the act of ending something that was previously ongoing.

totally terminate

Indicates a definitive and irreversible ending.

wholly suspend

Suggests a temporary cessation that could be resumed later, although the 'wholly' implies a complete pause.

definitively end

Highlights the finality and decisiveness of the action.

irrevocably cease

Underlines that the cessation cannot be undone or reversed.

permanently discontinue

Focuses on the lasting nature of the termination.

effectively block

Shifts the focus to preventing continuation, rather than stopping an existing action.

bring to a standstill

Emphasizes the result of stopping, focusing on the immobility that follows.

FAQs

How to use "completely stop" in a sentence?

You can use "completely stop" to emphasize the full cessation of an action or process. For instance, "The engine "completely stopped" after running out of fuel".

What can I say instead of "completely stop"?

Alternatives include "entirely cease", "absolutely halt", or "fully discontinue", depending on the level of formality and the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "completely stop"?

In some cases, yes. If the context already implies a full cessation, "completely" might be unnecessary. Consider whether simply saying "stop" conveys the intended meaning adequately. However, the adverb "completely" is used to reinforce the verb, so "completely stop" can be acceptable in many situations.

When is it appropriate to use "completely stop" instead of just "stop"?

Use "completely stop" when you want to emphasize the thoroughness and finality of the cessation. For example, "The negotiations "completely stopped" after the disagreement, with no chance of revival" implies a more decisive end than simply saying "The negotiations stopped".