cutting off

USAGE SUMMARY

"cutting off" is both correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in any situation when you are referring to interrupting or discontinuing something. For example, "Early in the year, I decided to cut off all communication with my former friends."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

New laws are also cutting off distribution.

The New York Times

Troops surrounded the camp, cutting off supplies.

The Economist

Steven Seagal is cutting off his ponytail.

The New York Times

North Korea responded by cutting off ties.

The New York Times

The doctors are cutting off his clothes.

The New York Times

Roads closed, cutting off access to supplies.

The New Yorker

Talk about cutting off your nose to spite your face.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

A cutting off according to time is necessary.

Boundary Value Problems

Start cutting off pieces and slicing them.

The New York Times

Start cutting off sections.

WikiHow

Use safety goggles when cutting off poles.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cutting off" in writing, ensure the context clearly defines what is being interrupted or discontinued to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify whether you are "cutting off" funding, communication, or supplies.

Common error

While "cutting off" is widely understood, consider using more formal alternatives like "discontinuing" or "terminating" in professional or academic writing to maintain a refined tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cutting off" functions primarily as a verb phrase. It's used to describe the action of interrupting or discontinuing something, whether physically (like "cutting off" supplies) or figuratively (like "cutting off" communication). Ludwig shows numerous examples across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

19%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cutting off" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe the act of interrupting or discontinuing something, and it's grammatically correct and widely accepted in written English. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media contexts but is also present in wikis and scientific publications. While suitable for general use, more formal alternatives like "discontinuing" or "terminating" may be preferred in professional or academic settings. When writing, ensure clarity by specifying what is being "cut off". It is not suitable for any contexts. Understanding these nuances will help you use "cutting off" effectively in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

interrupting

Focuses on the act of temporarily stopping something.

discontinuing

Emphasizes the cessation of an activity or supply.

severing

Highlights the act of completely breaking or separating something.

terminating

Implies a formal ending or conclusion.

ceasing

Stresses the stopping of an action or process.

blocking

Indicates the prevention of access or passage.

halting

Suggests a sudden or abrupt stop.

suspending

Refers to temporarily stopping something with the intention of resuming it later.

curtailing

Emphasizes reducing or limiting something.

disabling

Focuses on rendering something inoperative or non-functional.

FAQs

How can I use "cutting off" in a sentence?

You can use "cutting off" to describe the act of interrupting or discontinuing something. For instance, "The company is "cutting off funding" for the project" or "The storm resulted in "cutting off power" to several homes".

What are some alternatives to "cutting off"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "interrupting", "discontinuing", "severing", or "terminating". Each word has a slightly different nuance that may be more appropriate for your specific sentence.

Is "cutting off" formal or informal?

"Cutting off" is generally considered neutral in tone and is appropriate for most everyday conversations and writing. However, in more formal or professional contexts, using a more precise term like "discontinuing" or "terminating" might be preferable.

What's the difference between "cutting off" and "blocking"?

"Cutting off" generally implies a complete stop or interruption, while "blocking" suggests preventing access or passage. For example, you might "cut off" someone's phone service, but you would "block" a road.