had stopped working

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had stopped working" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something ceased to function or operate in the past, often in relation to a specific time or event. Example: "The computer had stopped working just before the deadline, causing a lot of stress."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

His phone and Internet had stopped working.

The New Yorker

Monitoring equipment that had stopped working.

The New York Times

By then, most of his small intestine had stopped working.

The New York Times

Had he realized that his twin's body had stopped working?

The New York Times

They wanted to call their families and seek help, but their phones had stopped working.

The New York Times

The cancer was too advanced to cure, and the standard testosterone-blocking drug had stopped working.

The New York Times - Health

What they came to share, however, was deep frustration at a system that had stopped working.

The New York Times

But by a little after 9 a.m., workers said the scanner had stopped working.

The New York Times

By late March, S., exhausted by the pregnancy, had stopped working.

The New York Times - Magazine

The man's kidneys had stopped working, and his body chemistry was completely out of whack.

The New York Times

After he was diagnosed, I had stopped working for several years to focus on him.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a process or sequence, use "had stopped working" to clearly indicate a point in the past when something ceased its function. This helps to establish a timeline of events.

Common error

Avoid using "has stopped working" when referring to a specific past event. "Had stopped working" correctly places the cessation of function in the past relative to another past action or time.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had stopped working" functions as a verb phrase indicating a completed action in the past before another point in time. Ludwig AI confirms that this is a correct and usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Social Media

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "had stopped working" is a grammatically sound and very common way to describe that something ceased functioning at a point in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and correctness. It's most frequently found in news and media contexts, as well as scientific publications. When using this phrase, ensure the past perfect tense is appropriate to establish the correct sequence of events. Alternatives such as "ceased to function" or "broke down" can provide variations in formality and emphasis. Avoid the common mistake of using "has stopped working" when referring to a specific past event relative to another past event. Understanding the nuances of past perfect tense is crucial for using "had stopped working" correctly.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ceased to function

Uses a more formal verb "ceased" instead of "stopped" and "function" instead of "working", implying a complete termination of operation.

became inoperative

Replaces "stopped working" with a single adjective "inoperative", indicating a state of non-function.

was no longer functional

Emphasizes the lack of functionality using "no longer functional" instead of directly stating the cessation of work.

quit operating

Uses "quit operating", which can suggest a more abrupt or intentional stop compared to "stopped working".

went out of service

Suggests a formal or scheduled cessation of operation, often used for equipment or systems.

broke down

Implies a failure or malfunction that caused the cessation of work.

malfunctioned

Replaces the entire phrase with a single verb, indicating a faulty operation leading to a stop.

failed to operate

Highlights the failure to perform its intended function.

became defunct

Suggests that something is no longer in use or no longer exists, implying a more permanent state than simply "stopped working".

is out of order

Indicates a temporary state of non-function, often used for machines or systems.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "had stopped working" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "ceased to function" or "became inoperative". These options provide a similar meaning with a more elevated vocabulary.

What's a simpler way to say "had stopped working"?

You could use "broke down" or "quit operating" for a more straightforward and less technical expression.

Is "had stopped working" the same as "has stopped working"?

No, "had stopped working" refers to a past action completed before another point in the past, while "has stopped working" refers to a past action with relevance to the present. For example, "The machine had stopped working before the technician arrived" versus "The machine has stopped working and needs repair now."

When should I use "had stopped working" instead of "stopped working"?

"Had stopped working" should be used when you're describing a past event that occurred before another event in the past. "Stopped working" is used to describe a simple past action. For example, "The car had stopped working before we reached the gas station" versus "The car stopped working yesterday."