got stopped

USAGE SUMMARY

"got stopped" is a correct and usable phrase in written English, especially in the past tense.
For example: He got stopped by the police for speeding.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

If you got stopped, you paid.

The New York Times

It was heading for this car and it got stopped.

The New York Times - Sports

I got stopped by police at a routine roadblock.

The Guardian

"Then, of course, I got stopped all the time.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

What if we were armed and got stopped for speeding?

The New York Times - Travel

But no one else got stopped either unless something awkward bulged under a raincoat.

The New York Times

"That was the first time I got stopped by the police, in that car.

The New York Times

"He wrote an entire book and it got stopped by lawyers.

Independent

As I tried to enter the airport, I got stopped by airport security and military personnel.

The New York Times

"He got stopped a lot, but he never tried to fight," said his mother, Audrey Dubose.

The New York Times

"One time I got stopped four times in one day," Mr. O'Brien, 45, an M.R.I. technologist from Orange County, said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "got stopped", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what did the stopping. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the sentence.

Common error

Avoid using "got stopped" in situations where the active voice would be clearer and more direct. For example, instead of "The project got stopped by the manager", use "The manager stopped the project".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "got stopped" primarily functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject of the sentence experienced an action performed by someone or something else. Ludwig shows that it is commonly used to describe being halted, detained, or interrupted.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "got stopped" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction, predominantly found in news and media contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively conveys the experience of being interrupted or detained. While its register is generally neutral, it's more common in informal settings. For more formal writing, alternatives like "was halted" or "was detained" may be preferable. Remember to ensure clarity by specifying who or what did the stopping to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was halted

Emphasizes a more formal or official cessation.

was intercepted

Suggests prevention of reaching a destination or intended recipient.

was detained

Implies temporary holding, often by authorities.

was obstructed

Highlights the presence of a barrier or hindrance.

was impeded

Focuses on slowing down or hindering progress.

was apprehended

Suggests capture, often by law enforcement.

was checked

Indicates a pause for inspection or verification.

was brought to a standstill

Highlights a complete halt or cessation of movement.

was held up

Implies a delay, often due to unforeseen circumstances.

was disrupted

Focuses on interrupting an activity or process.

FAQs

What does "got stopped" mean?

The phrase "got stopped" generally means that someone or something was interrupted, halted, or detained. It implies that progress or movement was prevented by an external force or circumstance.

Is "got stopped" grammatically correct?

Yes, "got stopped" is grammatically correct in English. It's a common way to express the passive voice, particularly in informal contexts. For example, "I got stopped by the police" is a perfectly acceptable sentence.

What can I say instead of "got stopped"?

You can use alternatives like "was halted", "was intercepted", or "was detained" depending on the context. Each of these alternatives offers a slightly different nuance in conveying the interruption.

In what situations is it appropriate to use "got stopped"?

The phrase "got stopped" is suitable in various contexts, particularly in informal and narrative settings. It is frequently used in news reporting and personal anecdotes to describe interruptions, detentions, or halts caused by external factors or authorities.