in a deadlock

USAGE SUMMARY

'in a deadlock' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a situation in which two sides are unable to come to an agreement or resolution. For example, "The two sides were in a deadlock, unable to agree to a solution."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Now we are in a deadlock".

Independent

CODESA concluded months later, in a deadlock.

The New Yorker

The polls are frozen in a deadlock.

The Guardian - Opinion

The industry is currently in a deadlock.

Harvard Business Review

Talks ended in a deadlock in late June.

The New York Times

Both ended in a deadlock, with Florida holding the key.

The New York Times

Spain has been in a deadlock for nine months now.

The Guardian - Opinion

An earlier trial had ended in a deadlock.

The Guardian

They are in a deadlock, seething and hurt.

The New Yorker

Pre-election polls had Labour and the Conservatives parties in a deadlock.

The Guardian

Interrogators and prisoner are caught in a deadlock between reality and fairy tale.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in a deadlock" to clearly indicate situations where progress is halted due to opposing forces or irreconcilable differences. It effectively conveys a sense of stasis and lack of resolution.

Common error

Avoid using "in a deadlock" when you simply mean there is a delay or temporary hold-up. A deadlock implies a more fundamental and potentially irresolvable conflict preventing progress, rather than a mere pause.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in a deadlock" functions as a prepositional phrase that typically modifies a verb or noun, indicating a state of impasse or standstill. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase. The phrase describes a situation where progress is blocked due to conflicting forces.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Academia

15%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in a deadlock" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to describe situations where progress is halted due to opposing forces. According to Ludwig AI, it is suitable for use in written English to indicate an inability to reach an agreement or resolution. Its register is generally neutral, making it appropriate for diverse contexts, including news, academia, and business. While alternatives like "at an impasse" or "at a standstill" exist, "in a deadlock" effectively conveys a sense of stagnation, as demonstrated by numerous examples from reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at an impasse

Focuses on the state of no progress due to disagreement.

at a standstill

Highlights the complete cessation of movement or progress.

in a stalemate

Emphasizes a situation where neither side can gain an advantage.

at loggerheads

Implies a strong disagreement leading to a standstill.

in a gridlock

Suggests a blockage or congestion preventing movement.

unable to agree

Directly states the lack of agreement between parties.

at odds

Highlights conflicting opinions or interests.

in conflict

Focuses on the presence of opposing forces or ideas.

in a tie

Describes a situation where results are equal, leading to no clear winner.

at a dead end

Suggests a point where no further progress is possible.

FAQs

How can I use "in a deadlock" in a sentence?

You can use "in a deadlock" to describe situations where opposing forces are unable to come to an agreement or find a resolution. For example, "Negotiations are "at an impasse"" or "The jury was "unable to agree", resulting in a mistrial".

What's the difference between "in a deadlock" and "in a stalemate"?

"In a deadlock" and "in a stalemate" are very similar, both indicating a lack of progress. "In a deadlock" often suggests a complete halt due to conflicting forces, while "in a stalemate" implies a more balanced situation where neither side can make significant gains.

What can I say instead of "in a deadlock"?

You can use alternatives like ""at an impasse"", "at a standstill", or ""unable to agree"" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "in a deadlock" in formal writing?

Yes, "in a deadlock" is appropriate for formal writing. It is commonly used in news articles, academic papers, and business reports to describe situations where progress has stalled due to opposing forces.