halting

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "halting" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adjective that refers to something that is hesitant or slow. For example, "He made a halting attempt to apologize for his mistake."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What prevented the strike from halting the attack on the industry was none of these things.

The Guardian

Yet there is still unresolved mystery in the denouement, about why Blatter came to make that trembling, halting announcement to stand down four days after he triumphantly hailed his own re-election.

The Guardian - Sport

At one point, the overhaul threatened to tear apart the coalition and ministers had to take the unprecedented step of halting the progression of legislation through parliament after criticism from MPs and health unions.

BBC

With his reputation in tatters and facing an election next month that is likely to sweep his Fianna Fáil party out of government, Lenihan may be hoping to retain some dignity among his furious electorate by halting the bonus payouts at a bank that is likely to be nationalised in the coming weeks.

The Guardian - Opinion

George Osborne deserves a cheer for reducing corporation tax, halting the fuel duty rise and knocking a penny off beer.

The Guardian

After the leak was published, the Lib Dems were widely suspected of being to blame, partly because Carmichael controlled the Scotland Office and partly because the party had much greater interest in halting the SNP surge than the Tories, who were only defending one seat in Scotland and were keen to see the SNP destroy Scottish Labour.

The Guardian

London Live has already looked to shrink its costs by halting all its original entertainment commissioning, opting instead to boost the amount of news and current affairs on the channel.

The Guardian

Halting the growth of onshore wind power would have various implications, both immediate and long-term – the industry provided £1.6bn of investment to the UK last year and employs 19,000 people, expected to rise to 30,000 during the next decade.

The Guardian

Truckers scared of the highly infectious disease are halting deliveries and shops are closing.

The Guardian

The buffering that Tempora allows acts like Sky+ television, slowing down or briefly halting the stream of information to make it easier for other filters to search for keywords, names, or patterns of behaviour.

The Guardian

The format of the session was speeches by each of the three writers, and Alexis Wright took to the lectern next, her speech soft and halting.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "halting" as an adjective, ensure it accurately conveys hesitation or brokenness. For example, "a halting gait" or "a halting apology" effectively communicates the intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "halting" when you mean simply "slow" or "intermittent". "Halting" specifically suggests a start-stop pattern or a lack of fluency, not just slowness.

Linguistic Context

The word "halting" functions primarily as a verb in its present participle form, often indicating the act of stopping or pausing. As an adjective, it describes something characterized by pauses or breaks, as Ludwig AI confirms. For example, "halting the growth" or "halting speech".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "halting" functions as both a verb (present participle) and an adjective, primarily denoting the act of stopping or describing something hesitant or discontinuous. Ludwig AI confirms its versatility and correctness. With a neutral register, it appears frequently in news, formal business writing, and scientific contexts. Common usages include "halting production" or describing "halting speech". Alternatives such as "stopping", "ceasing", and "suspending" may be appropriate depending on the specific context. Ensure accurate conveyance of interrupted actions or hesitant qualities when utilizing "halting" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stopping

Focuses on the immediate cessation of an action.

ceasing

Emphasizes the termination or bringing to an end of something.

suspending

Implies a temporary interruption, rather than a complete stop.

interrupting

Highlights breaking the continuity of a process.

curtailing

Suggests reducing or limiting something.

impeding

Indicates obstructing or hindering progress.

obstructing

Suggests creating an obstacle to movement or progress.

arresting

Implies bringing something to a sudden stop, often by force.

checking

Highlights controlling or restraining something.

discontinuing

Focuses on permanently stopping a process or activity.

FAQs

How can I use "halting" in a sentence?

"Halting" can be used as a verb (present participle of halt) or as an adjective. For example: "The company is "halting" production." (verb) or "His "halting" progress frustrated his coach." (adjective).

What are some alternatives to "halting"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "halting" include "stopping", "ceasing", or "suspending".

Is it correct to use "halting" to describe a process that slows down gradually?

While "halting" can imply a slowdown, it more accurately describes a stop-start motion or interrupted flow. For a gradual slowdown, consider using words like "slowing", "decelerating", or "easing".

What's the difference between "halting" and "hesitant" when describing speech?

"Halting" describes speech that is broken or interrupted, while "hesitant" describes speech that is uncertain or reluctant. "Halting speech" indicates physical breaks, whereas "hesitant speech" suggests a speaker's reluctance or uncertainty.