he stalled

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he stalled" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone delays or hesitates in taking action or making a decision. Example: "When it was time to present his findings, he stalled, unsure of how to begin."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Conversation

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

So he stalled.

The New York Times

He stalled at the eleventh floor.

The New Yorker

When pressed for answers, he stalled, according to the Winklevosses.

The New York Times - Tech

He stalled for days, hoping the offer would go away.

The New York Times - Science

When a group of executives presented options, he stalled.

The New York Times - Tech

He stalled long enough for her to arrive just in time.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

Others, however, say that Mr. Netanyahu's government will survive only so long as he stalls.

The New York Times

In scene after scene, he stalls and pleads for patience when asked to repay it.

The New York Times

There are things that …" He stalls as if there's something on the tip of his tongue.

The Guardian - Film

But he stalls, on the flimsy excuse of giving priority to an anti-human trafficking bill.

Huffington Post

"Wondering whether he has stalled".

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he stalled" when you want to convey a sense of hesitation or deliberate delay, often with an implication of underlying reluctance or a strategic motive. For example, "He stalled, hoping the uncomfortable question would be forgotten."

Common error

Avoid using "he stalled" when you simply mean someone stopped momentarily. Stalling implies a deliberate action or a failure to proceed due to internal factors, not just a physical cessation of movement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he stalled" primarily functions as a verb phrase, where "he" is the subject pronoun and "stalled" is the past tense form of the verb "stall". Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, indicating it adheres to standard English grammar. The examples show it depicting actions of delaying or hesitating.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Sports

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he stalled" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe a deliberate act of delaying or hesitating. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's versatile enough for general use, though particularly prominent in News & Media and Sports contexts. When choosing alternatives, consider the specific nuance you wish to convey – whether it's simple hesitation ("he hesitated") or a more strategic delay ("he temporized"). Be mindful of the connotation, ensuring you're accurately portraying the subject's intent and action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he hesitated

Emphasizes a pause or reluctance before acting.

he delayed

Focuses on postponing an action or decision.

he faltered

Suggests a loss of momentum or confidence.

he hesitated and delayed

Combines the meanings of hesitation and delay for emphasis.

he marked time

Implies making no progress while appearing to be active.

he dragged his feet

Indicates reluctance and slow progress.

he temporized

Suggests deliberately delaying to gain time.

he came to a standstill

Indicates a complete stop in progress.

he ceased moving forward

Focuses on the lack of advancement.

he marked time unnecessarily

Implies making no progress without any justifiable reasons.

FAQs

What does "he stalled" mean?

The phrase "he stalled" means that someone delayed, hesitated, or failed to progress as expected, often intentionally or due to a lack of confidence.

What can I say instead of "he stalled"?

You can use alternatives like "he hesitated", "he delayed", or "he faltered" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "he stalled" formal or informal?

"He stalled" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives like "he temporized" might be preferable in certain situations.

How to use "he stalled" in a sentence?

You can use "he stalled" to describe someone who is intentionally delaying or hesitating, such as, "When asked about the missing funds, he stalled, avoiding a direct answer."