designed to stop

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "designed to stop" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when describing the purpose of an object, system, or action intended to prevent something from happening. Example: The new software is designed to stop unauthorized access to sensitive data. Alternative expressions include "intended to prevent" and "meant to halt."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The remainder is designed to stop vehicles.

Independent

Current helmets, he said then, "aren't designed to stop concussions".

The Guardian - Sport

"We already have legislation designed to stop children smoking.

The Guardian

A streaker slips through security designed to stop terrorists.

The New York Times - Sports

The Tideway tunnel is designed to stop most of that.

The Guardian

It did include a measure designed to stop "aggressive begging".

The Guardian

A traffic ban, designed to stop car-bombers, emptied Baghdad's avenues of vehicles.

The Economist

Laws should be designed to stop likely evils; it's true, not every possible evil.

The New Yorker

"Cough medication is designed to stop you coughing so that you feel better.

Independent

The Texans have a rebuilt secondary designed to stop the Colts.

The New York Times

"It's proof that the European mechanisms designed to stop the crisis are not working".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "designed to stop", ensure the context clearly defines what is being stopped and the method by which it's being prevented. For instance, specify the mechanism or feature that provides the stopping action for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "designed to stop" without specifying the object or event being stopped. For example, instead of saying "The system is designed to stop", specify "The system is designed to stop unauthorized access."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "designed to stop" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun by specifying its purpose or intended function. It indicates that something has been created or arranged with the express aim of preventing a particular action or event. As Ludwig AI shows, this phrase commonly appears in contexts where systems, devices, or rules are implemented for preventative measures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

21%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "designed to stop" is a versatile and frequently used construction. It functions as an adjectival phrase that communicates the intended purpose of something—to prevent a specific action or event. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly employed in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. While its register is generally neutral, attention to specificity is key to avoiding vagueness in writing. Alternatives such as "intended to prevent" and "meant to halt" offer nuanced options for expressing similar ideas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intended to prevent

Uses 'prevent' instead of 'stop', focusing on proactive action.

meant to halt

Substitutes 'halt' for 'stop', implying a more abrupt cessation.

created to block

Employs 'block' to suggest obstruction as the method of stopping.

engineered to preclude

Replaces with 'preclude', a more formal term for preventing something.

developed to curb

Uses 'curb' indicating a restraint or limitation rather than a complete stop.

fashioned to avert

Replaces with 'avert', suggesting the deflection of something negative.

structured to impede

Uses 'impede' indicating slowing down or hindering rather than stopping completely.

formulated to counteract

Employs 'counteract' suggesting an opposing action to neutralize something.

put in place to cease

Replaces with 'cease' indicating bringing to an end.

set up to discontinue

Employs 'discontinue' indicating termination of something.

FAQs

How can I use "designed to stop" in a sentence?

Use "designed to stop" to explain the purpose of something is to prevent something else from happening. For example, "The barriers are "designed to stop" vehicles from entering the area".

What are some alternatives to "designed to stop"?

You can use alternatives such as "intended to prevent", "meant to halt", or "created to block" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "design to stop" instead of "designed to stop"?

No, "design to stop" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is ""designed to stop"", which uses the past participle form of the verb "design" to indicate purpose.

What's the difference between "designed to stop" and "intended to stop"?

While both phrases convey a similar meaning, ""designed to stop"" implies a specific structure or mechanism has been created with the purpose of stopping something, whereas "intended to stop" simply indicates that stopping something was the goal or aim.