he stops

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he stops" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an action where a male subject ceases movement or an activity. Example: "As he approaches the intersection, he stops to check for oncoming traffic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He stops the ferry.

The New Yorker

He stops abruptly.

The New Yorker

He stops paging.

The New York Times - Magazine

He stops and waves.

The New York Times

He stops, looks up.

The New Yorker

At last he stops.

The New York Times

And then he stops.

The New Yorker

He stops and stares vacantly.

The New York Times - Magazine

He stops by our table.

The New York Times - Food

He stops again, frowning, wincing.

Independent

If he stops, he dies".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "he stops", ensure the context clearly indicates what action is being stopped to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "he stops" when you intend to convey a pause or hesitation rather than a complete cessation of action. Use "he pauses" instead to better reflect the temporary nature of the interruption.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he stops" functions as a simple declarative statement, indicating that a male subject has ceased an action. Ludwig confirms that this is grammatically sound. It serves to narrate or describe an event in a straightforward manner, as seen in the examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "he stops" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression that indicates the cessation of an action by a male subject. Ludwig's analysis confirms its validity and widespread use across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While simple, it's important to consider the context to differentiate between a complete stop and a temporary pause, and to choose alternative phrases like "he pauses" or "he halts" when appropriate. The phrase maintains a neutral register and its meaning is clear and easily understood.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he pauses

Emphasizes a temporary cessation, often for thought or breath.

he comes to a halt

Emphasizes the process of stopping rather than the immediate action.

he desists

Implies a more deliberate or conscious decision to stop an action.

he ceases

More formal term for stopping, often implying a permanent end.

he discontinues

Suggests an interruption or termination of a continuous action or process.

he suspends

Indicates a temporary stop, with the expectation of resuming later.

he breaks off

Implies a sudden or abrupt stop, often in the middle of an action.

he interrupts himself

Specifically refers to stopping oneself, often in speech.

he refrains from

Suggests holding back or preventing oneself from starting an action.

he ends

A general term for bringing something to a conclusion; less specific than "he stops".

FAQs

How can I use "he stops" in a sentence?

You can use "he stops" to describe when a male subject ceases an action or movement, for example: "As he walks down the street, he stops to admire the flowers."

What can I say instead of "he stops"?

You can use alternatives like "he pauses", "he halts", or "he ceases" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "he stop" instead of "he stops"?

No, "he stop" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "he stops" because the verb must agree with the singular third-person pronoun "he".

What is the difference between "he stops" and "he pauses"?

"He stops" implies a complete cessation of an action, while "he pauses" suggests a temporary interruption with the intention of resuming.