deciding not to continue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "deciding not to continue" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a choice or resolution to stop or halt an action or process. Example: "After careful consideration, I am deciding not to continue with the project due to unforeseen challenges."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The number one reason customers gave after deciding not to continue with their purchase was the threat of long-term consequences.

Vice

Deciding not to continue working with the material seemed to function as a way of handling difficulties (Q 3).

BMC Psychiatry

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The car was repaired after the crash for continued testing, but Chevrolet decided not to continue development as a production vehicle — or to keep it around for history's sake.

The New York Times

The investigation will cease when (1) discontinuation of the study is recommended by the data safety monitoring board due to an adverse event or side effect that makes continuation of the investigation difficult or (2) the principal investigator decides not to continue implementation.

BMC Psychiatry

Some King players decided not to continue.

The New York Times - Sports

Peter, however, decided not to continue.

The Guardian

"However, we decided not to continue with it.

The New York Times

And I know that we decided not to continue our relationship.

The New York Times

"We've decided not to continue 'Enlightened' for a third season.

The New York Times

The Legislature also decided not to continue the earned income-tax credit for the working poor.

The New York Times

"I have decided not to continue the peace process with the FARC," Mr. Pastrana said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "deciding not to continue" when there's a conscious choice or resolution to stop or halt an action or process. This phrase is best for scenarios involving an active decision rather than a passive cessation.

Common error

Avoid using "deciding not to continue" as a way to obscure responsibility for a decision. Instead of saying "It was decided not to continue", specify who made the decision: "The team decided not to continue."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "deciding not to continue" functions as a verb phrase expressing a deliberate choice to cease or halt an ongoing activity or process. It indicates a conscious decision has been made to discontinue something, as seen in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "deciding not to continue" is a versatile expression indicating a deliberate choice to stop or halt an ongoing activity or process. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct and widely applicable in various contexts. Its frequency is very common. Predominantly found in news and media, it conveys a clear communicative purpose: to state the cessation of a plan or action. While suitable for neutral registers, awareness of context is key to avoiding overuse of passive voice, as highlighted in the writing guidance. For alternative expressions, consider phrases like "choosing to discontinue" or "opting to cease", depending on the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

choosing to discontinue

Emphasizes a deliberate selection to stop.

opting to cease

Suggests a formal or definitive termination.

electing to halt

Implies a conscious choice to bring something to a stop.

refusing to proceed

Highlights a rejection of further progress.

stopping from proceeding

Focuses on the action of preventing further continuation.

abandoning the intention to continue

Denotes a complete forsaking of the original plan.

forgoing further action

Implies a giving up of subsequent steps.

deciding to abandon

Indicates a choice to completely give up or leave something behind.

opting for termination

Suggests a formal end or conclusion.

terminating progress

Emphasizes the act of ending ongoing development.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "deciding not to continue" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives such as "opting to cease", "electing to halt", or "forgoing further action". These options convey a similar meaning with a more elevated vocabulary.

What are some less formal ways to say "deciding not to continue"?

In informal contexts, you could use phrases like "choosing to discontinue", "stopping from proceeding", or simply "refusing to proceed".

In what situations is it appropriate to use "deciding not to continue"?

Use "deciding not to continue" when you want to emphasize a conscious choice to stop something, whether it's a project, relationship, or course of action. It's particularly suitable when the decision involves weighing options and making a deliberate choice to cease.

How does "deciding not to continue" differ from "abandoning the intention to continue"?

"Deciding not to continue" implies a more thoughtful, reasoned choice to stop, whereas "abandoning the intention to continue" suggests a giving up, potentially due to difficulty or lack of progress. The former emphasizes the decision-making process, while the latter highlights the act of forsaking.