freeze

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "freeze" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a verb to describe the stopping of motion, as in "The cat froze when it heard the loud noise." You can also use it to describe the state of being very cold, as in "The snow froze and stayed on the ground for weeks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Our energy market reforms are about making the market more competitive, but also recognising that not just consumers but also businesses have been paying too much for their bills, and we're introducing a temporary price freeze to help consumers.

The Guardian - Money

The chancellor needed to say that hell would freeze over before the rest of the UK would agree.

The Guardian

There was a two-year pay freeze after the coalition government came to power, followed by a 1% pay cap for all public sector workers in 2013/14 and 2014/15.

The Guardian

The chancellor set out his decision to cap public sector pay rises at 1% a year for two years from 2013 on the back of a two-year pay freeze.

The Guardian

If you are not using a machine, then pour the mixture into a chilled freezer box and freeze for a couple of hours.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The external hirings freeze is likely to help boost morale.

The Guardian

The union is gathering evidence of hardship faced by journalists across the four titles because of the pay freeze.

The Guardian

The prime minister made no mention of chancellor George Osborne's pledge on Monday to freeze working age benefits for two years, but said the plan to eradicate the deficit by 2017-18 through a further £25bn of public spending cuts was doable, adding it represents only 3% of government annual spend.

The Guardian

Spooked by Ed Miliband's offer of a freeze, the Tories suggest that they want to crack down on the very green taxes that they voted for.

The Guardian

Nelson spoke out amid a row within the Labour party about whether Miliband's plans to freeze bills for 20 months is a practical solution to the problem of rising bills.

The Guardian - Money

"I welcome Ed Miliband's proposal for a price freeze of gas and electricity for a period covering two winters," he said.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about financial constraints, use "freeze" to indicate a temporary cessation of spending increases, as in "a budget freeze".

Common error

Avoid using "freeze" when "chill" or "refrigerate" is more appropriate. "Freeze" implies a solid state, whereas "chill" simply means to lower the temperature.

Linguistic Context

The word "freeze" functions primarily as a verb, indicating the action of becoming solid due to cold or stopping movement. It also functions as a noun, referring to a period of cold weather or a halt in operations. According to Ludwig, it's correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Lifestyle

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "freeze" is a versatile term with applications spanning from physical science to economic policy. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It functions both as a verb and a noun, commonly appearing in contexts related to News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science. The analysis reveals that "freeze" describes the physical transformation of matter, the cessation of activity, or the maintenance of something at a fixed level. Related terms include "solidify", "immobilize", and "suspend", each carrying nuanced implications. When using "freeze", ensure clarity and consider the scope of the term; "chill" or "refrigerate" may be more fitting in certain contexts. As an expert linguistic analyzer, this JSON provides a comprehensive usage guide to the word "freeze".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

solidify

Emphasizes the transformation of a liquid into a solid state due to cold, shifting focus from temperature to the resulting state.

immobilize

Highlights the act of preventing movement, broadening the context beyond temperature-induced states.

suspend

Implies a temporary interruption or cessation, suitable in contexts beyond literal freezing.

halt

Focuses on bringing something to a stop, applicable in both physical and metaphorical senses.

arrest

Suggests a sudden and forceful stop, often used in legal or developmental contexts.

preserve

Centers on maintaining something in its current state, particularly in food or historical contexts.

chill

Refers to lowering the temperature without necessarily reaching a freezing point.

refrigerate

Highlights keeping something cold to prevent spoilage, specifically in food contexts.

become ice

Specifically denotes the phase transition of water to its solid form.

bring to a standstill

Emphasizes the complete cessation of motion or activity.

FAQs

How can I use "freeze" in a sentence?

You can use "freeze" as a verb, like "The pipes might "freeze" in the winter", or as a noun, such as "There was a pay "freeze" at my company".

What can I say instead of "freeze" when referring to stopping something?

Alternatives include "halt", "suspend", or "immobilize", depending on the context.

What's the difference between "freeze" and "chill"?

"Freeze" implies turning something solid through cold, while "chill" means to make something cold, but not necessarily solid.

Is it correct to say "froze up" instead of "freeze"?

Yes, "froze up" is a common phrasal verb meaning to become unable to function, often due to fear or surprise. For example: "I "froze up" during the presentation".