halted discussions

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "halted discussions" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe conversations or negotiations that have been stopped or interrupted. Example: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, the company has halted discussions regarding the merger."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Michael Eisner, Disney's chairman and CEO at the time, had halted discussions.

Independent

Barnes & Noble has also halted discussions with Microsoft over a potential deal to sell the digital assets of Nook Media, which includes Barnes & Noble's troubled e-reader business.

The New York Times

Russia halted discussions on a punitive resolution last week, prompting the American ambassador, John Bolton, to accuse Moscow of reneging on earlier undertakings.

The Guardian - Opinion

Russia halted discussions on a punitive resolution last week, prompting the US ambassador, John Bolton, to accuse Moscow of reneging on earlier undertakings.

The Guardian

Sir Richard Branson has halted discussions with Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund about a planned $1bn£760m0m) investment in Virgin's space companies.

The Guardian

Airbus, which is owned by Paris-based EADS, said it halted discussions with a consortium that included Cerberus Capital Management and the MT Aerospace business of Bremen, Germany-based OHB Technology.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

It is unclear whether GE Capital's offer will force Equitable Life to halt discussions with Halifax.

The New York Times

The complaint seeks an injunction to halt discussions between the league and current players related to retiree issues, and it asks for a declaration that the players association cannot represent the interests of retired players in settlement or prosecution of the antitrust suit.

The New York Times - Sports

"Yes or No" questions halt discussion, and broad "What do you think about young people getting married?" questions also tend to discourage students.

WikiHow

Shortly before 5 p.m. local time, the speaker halted the discussion and announced the president's departure.

The Washington Post

Supporters of the proposal expected delegates there to work on ironing out details, and were stunned when Russia and Ukraine raised legal and procedural questions that halted the discussion, and questioned the commission's authority to create such reserves.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "halted discussions", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what caused the discussions to stop. Providing this information adds clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "halted discussions" when the pause is extremely brief or insignificant. For temporary pauses, consider terms like "interrupted" or "paused" to avoid implying a complete stop.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "halted discussions" functions as a concise way to describe the cessation of dialogue or negotiations. As Ludwig AI confirms, this construction effectively communicates the interruption or termination of talks across different fields. Examples show it is used in the context of political negotiations, business deals and general discussions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

36%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Science

3%

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "halted discussions" is a grammatically correct and relatively uncommon phrase used to describe the cessation of dialogue or negotiations. As Ludwig AI confirms, its neutral-to-professional register makes it suitable for news reporting, formal announcements, and business contexts. While less frequent in casual conversation, the phrase effectively communicates that talks have stopped, though it is important to consider permanence and clarity. Alternatives like ""suspended talks"" or ""ended discussions"" may be more appropriate depending on the specific nuance intended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ended discussions

A general term indicating that the discussions have come to a conclusion.

suspended talks

This alternative suggests a temporary cessation of discussions, implying a possibility of resumption.

paused negotiations

Similar to 'suspended talks' but may imply a shorter or more informal break.

ceased negotiations

A more formal way of saying 'ended negotiations'.

terminated negotiations

This phrase indicates a complete end to negotiations, suggesting no further discussions are expected.

put discussions on hold

Indicates a temporary suspension, often for a specific reason or until a certain condition is met.

broke off talks

This suggests a more abrupt and potentially contentious ending to discussions.

interrupted discussions

Focuses on the fact that discussion stopped, it may not be for good.

shelved discussions

Suggests the discussions have been put aside, possibly indefinitely.

abandoned talks

Implies that the discussions were not successful and have been given up.

FAQs

What does "halted discussions" mean?

The phrase "halted discussions" means that conversations, negotiations, or talks have been stopped or brought to an end, either temporarily or permanently.

What can I say instead of "halted discussions"?

You can use alternatives like "suspended talks", "ended discussions", or "terminated negotiations" depending on the context and the reason for stopping the discussions.

Is "halted discussions" a formal phrase?

"Halted discussions" is a relatively neutral phrase suitable for both formal and informal contexts. The level of formality also depends on the context in which it is used. More formal alternatives include "ceased negotiations".

What's the difference between "halted discussions" and "interrupted discussions"?

"Halted discussions" suggests a more definitive stop, potentially permanent, while "interrupted discussions" indicates a temporary pause or break that may not be final.