halt operations

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "halt operations" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you need to indicate the stopping or suspension of activities, particularly in a business or operational setting. Example: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, we must halt operations until further notice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In a statement issued late on Friday, the group warned of more pipeline attacks, saying that if oil companies did not halt operations, "any operational installation attacked will be burnt to the ground".

The New York Times

The provincial government ordered the mine to halt operations, Xinhua reported, but the Tonghua Mining Group, a state-owned company, continued to operate it.

The New York Times

Airports: All major airlines expected to halt operations by Sunday night.

The New York Times

Cuadrilla was forced to halt operations for 18 hours on Friday after a 0.8-magnitude tremor.

The Guardian

However, abutment pressures and poor ground control conditions can halt operations and be hazardous to coal miners.

International Journal of Mining Science and Technology

The renovation work forced the company essentially to halt operations for a season, digging it a deeper financial hole.

The New York Times - Arts

Together, suppliers organized to save Toyota from a devastating crisis that threatened to halt operations for weeks.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

But Falcon, founded just over a century ago, is the first gold miner to halt operations across the board.

The New York Times

Top regulators from Wisconsin and Texas said they had ordered CarsDirect.com, an Internet seller, to halt operations in their state.

The New York Times

It was the fourth budget carrier worldwide to halt operations in the last week and a half.

The New York Times

The group was ordered to halt operations in Ecuador in a letter dated 7 April, said embassy spokesman Jeffrey Weinshenker.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "halt operations", clearly state the reason for the stoppage to provide context and avoid confusion.

Common error

Avoid using "halt operations" if the intention is a temporary pause. "Suspend operations" is more appropriate when activities are expected to resume.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "halt operations" functions as a verbal phrase, where "halt" is the verb and "operations" is its direct object. Ludwig examples show it describing a cessation of business, military, or industrial activities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "halt operations" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe the stopping of activities, as confirmed by Ludwig. It's versatile, appearing frequently in news reports, scientific articles, and formal business communications. While often implying a temporary cessation, context is crucial to determine permanence. Alternatives like "cease operations" or "suspend operations" can offer more precise nuances. Remember to clearly state the reason for the stoppage for clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bring operations to a halt

Very similar in meaning, but slightly more emphatic.

cease operations

A more formal and definitive term for stopping activities.

suspend operations

Implies a temporary stoppage with the possibility of resumption.

discontinue operations

Suggests a permanent end to activities.

terminate operations

Similar to discontinue, emphasizing a final ending.

shut down operations

A more informal term for stopping activities, often abruptly.

bring operations to a standstill

Highlights the complete cessation of movement or activity.

put operations on hold

Similar to suspend, indicating a temporary pause.

cease activity

Broader term that may apply beyond formal "operations".

suspend activity

Broader term that indicates temporary pause, not only in a business context.

FAQs

How can I use "halt operations" in a sentence?

You can use "halt operations" to describe the stopping of activities, such as "The company had to "halt operations" due to the pandemic".

What's a more formal way to say "halt operations"?

A more formal alternative to "halt operations" is "cease operations", which implies a complete and often permanent stop.

What is the difference between "halt operations" and "suspend operations"?

"Halt operations" generally implies a more immediate and possibly temporary stop, while "suspend operations" suggests a temporary pause with the expectation of resuming later.

When is it appropriate to use "halt operations" versus "discontinue operations"?

"Halt operations" is suitable for temporary or unforeseen stoppages, whereas "discontinue operations" indicates a permanent end to activities.