discontinue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "discontinue" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of stopping or ceasing something, such as a service, product, or behavior. Example: "Due to low sales, we have decided to discontinue the product line by the end of the month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"After deep reflection and consultation with those close to me, I now have decided to seek leave to discontinue my federal court action against Peter Slipper.

The Guardian

Dr King refuses to discontinue the crusade.

The Economist

This variability of outcome helps explain why so many employers have been keen to discontinue defined benefit (DB) plans; under such schemes, they were required to make up any shortfall.Another way of illustrating the problem comes in a paper from GMO, a fund-management company.

The Economist

They could put AIDS-sufferers on anti-retroviral therapies, but only if they are willing to discontinue treatment once the money stops.

The Economist

One small insurer failed, the state-run home-insurance fund of last resort was plunged into crisis, and Allstate, America's second-largest P&C insurer, decided to discontinue writing such policies in Florida.

The Economist

It criticised the high cost of marketing and fund management loaded on to personal pensions in the first few years of operation, penalising people who discontinue their pension, and found (despite recent improvements) that workers leaving occupational schemes early by, say, getting a new job can lose a lot.

The Economist

Richard Neale of Business Objects, a software company based in San Jose, California, tells the story of a British supermarket that was about to discontinue a line of expensive French cheeses which were not selling well.

The Economist

The announcement comes on the heels of the school's decision to discontinue the EMBA it offered jointly with the University of California, Berkeley.

The Economist

At the end of August, 3M said it would cut its 75,000-strong workforce by 6% and discontinue some of its 50,000 products.

The Economist

He is seen as a likely contender to succeed the president, Boris Yeltsin.Bavarians voted in a referendum to discontinue the state's 50-year-old appointed Senate, even though the ruling Christian Social Union had urged them to back it.Armenia's justice minister ended a ban on the nationalist Dashnak party, the main opposition group, before the presidential election, likely to be held in March.

The Economist

In an initiative called "Data Liberation Front" that quietly began last September, Google is planning to rejig all its services so that users can discontinue them very easily and take their data with them.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When deciding to use "discontinue", consider the context. It's suitable for formally ending a service, product, or practice. For more informal settings, "stop" or "end" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "discontinue" in very casual conversations. Opt for simpler words like "stop" or "quit" to maintain a natural tone. Using "discontinue" in informal contexts can sound overly formal or stilted.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "discontinue" is as a transitive verb. It requires a direct object, indicating what is being stopped or terminated. Ludwig examples showcase its use in ending services, products, actions, or treatments, as stated by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "discontinue" is a transitive verb used to formally describe the cessation of something, whether it's a product, service, or action. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral to formal contexts, as overuse in casual conversation can sound stilted. Common alternatives include "stop", "end", and "cease", each with slightly different connotations. This analysis has taken into account numerous real-world examples from reputable sources, highlighting its prevalence across news, encyclopedias, and scientific literature.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cease

Implies a more formal or abrupt ending than "discontinue".

terminate

Suggests a definitive and often official end to something.

halt

Indicates a temporary or permanent stop to an activity or process.

suspend

Implies a temporary interruption with the possibility of resumption.

break off

Suggests an abrupt end, often in a relationship or negotiation.

abandon

Implies leaving something unfinished or unsupported.

give up

Suggests surrendering or ceasing effort on something.

end

A general term for bringing something to a conclusion.

cancel

Indicates that something planned will not take place.

close down

Specifically refers to the permanent closure of a business or operation.

FAQs

How can I use "discontinue" in a sentence?

You can use "discontinue" to indicate the termination of something, such as a service or product. For example, "The company decided to discontinue the product line due to low sales."

What's a more informal way to say "discontinue"?

If you're looking for a less formal alternative, consider using words like "stop", "end", or "quit" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "discontinue from" something?

No, the correct usage is simply "discontinue" something, without the "from". For example, "discontinue the service", not "discontinue from the service".

What is the difference between "discontinue" and "suspend"?

"Discontinue" implies a permanent cessation, while "suspend" suggests a temporary interruption with the possibility of resuming later.