halted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "halted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has been stopped or brought to a standstill. Example: "The project was halted due to budget constraints."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Despite the impressive finishing, the game lacked finesse for long spells and McCormack almost capitalised on slack Wigan defending for a second time after latching on to a cross-field pass from Michael Turner, only for the striker to be halted by a desperate last-ditch slide from Emmerson Boyce.

The Guardian - Sport

On the day Juan Muñoz died in August 2001, the elevators were halted in mid-air in the Turbine Hall at Tate Modern, where they formed part of Double Bind, the Spanish artist's Unilever commission, the second in the series.

The Guardian - Arts

The process of downgrading the citizenship of those in Israel has only been halted because elections have been called.

The Guardian - Opinion

The company also retains a Brazilian biofuels business but has halted all work on carbon capture and storage.

The Guardian

After weeks of contradictory statements, finance minister Yanis Varoufakis announced last week the sale of state assets, halted when the leftist-led Syriza government was elected in January, but would resume on different terms.

The Guardian - Business

Every scene on Tuesday night was freighted with centuries-old grudges and rivalries that last erupted into armed conflict in the 1998-9 war between Serbia and ethnic Albanians in Kosovo, which left 10,000 people dead and was halted only by a Nato bombing campaign.

The Guardian - Sport

These were not empty words: in 2013, he led his party through the lobbies against a new bombing campaign in Syria, a move which eventually halted the interventionist plans, not only of London, but of Washington and Paris too.

The Guardian - Opinion

She brusquely informed him that, now the family had been discovered, the funeral would be halted.

The Guardian

Was she upset when she heard it had been halted?

The Guardian

McCoy says failing to reach the landmark of 300 winners in his final season, after a flying start was halted by injury in October, "broke my heart".

The Guardian - Sport

Mitchell's was a brave, impressive display – and he was up on two of the judges' scorecards – but the swollen eye was causing him huge problems and when he fell to his knees in the 10th after taking a pounding from Linares in the corner, the referee, Victor Loughlin, halted the fight.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "halted", consider the context to ensure it accurately conveys the intended degree of cessation, whether temporary or permanent.

Common error

While "halted" is grammatically correct, overuse in casual conversation can sound overly formal. Opt for more common synonyms like "stopped" or "paused" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "halted" is as the past participle of the verb 'halt'. It's frequently used to describe actions that have been stopped or brought to a standstill. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Formal & Business

24%

Science

22%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "halted" functions as the past participle of 'halt', signifying the cessation of an action. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that it is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news, business, and scientific contexts. Although versatile, "halted" tends toward a more formal register, so synonyms such as "stopped" might be preferable in informal settings. Remember to consider the specific context to accurately convey the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stopped

This is a direct and common synonym that indicates cessation of movement or activity.

ceased

Implies a more formal and complete ending, often used when referring to processes or actions.

terminated

Suggests a formal or official end, often used in business or legal contexts.

suspended

Indicates a temporary stop, with the implication that the action may resume later.

interrupted

Focuses on the disruption of an ongoing activity or process.

brought to a standstill

Emphasizes the complete cessation of movement or progress.

brought to a halt

Similar to 'brought to a standstill', but slightly less emphatic.

put an end to

Highlights the act of deliberately stopping something.

curtailed

Implies a reduction or limitation rather than a complete stop.

brought to a close

Suggests a more natural or planned conclusion.

FAQs

How is "halted" typically used in a sentence?

"Halted" is used as the past tense and past participle of the verb 'halt', meaning to stop or cause to stop. For instance, "The construction was halted due to unforeseen circumstances."

What are some common synonyms for "halted"?

Common synonyms for "halted" include "stopped", "ceased", "suspended", and "terminated". The best choice depends on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "halted" instead of "stopped"?

"Halted" often carries a slightly more formal or official tone than "stopped". While both indicate cessation, "halted" might be preferred in reports or formal communications, while "stopped" is suitable for everyday conversation.

Can "halted" imply a temporary or permanent stop?

"Halted" can imply either a temporary or permanent stop, depending on the context. To clarify the duration, you can add additional information, such as "The project was halted temporarily" or "The project was halted permanently".