it ceased

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it ceased" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something has stopped or come to an end. Example: "After several hours of discussion, the debate finally ceased, leaving everyone in deep thought."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It ceased to exist.

The New Yorker

It ceased publication in 2004.

The New York Times - Books

It ceased publication in 1952.

The New York Times - Arts

It ceased operations in April 2008.

The New York Times

From August 31st this year, it ceased to operate.

The Economist

Less than two years later, it ceased operations.

The New York Times - Tech

It ceased to be widely used in the 1990s.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It ceased with the completion of the transcontinental telegraph system.

Encyclopedia Britannica

That was the time when it ceased to matter.

The Guardian - Books

It happened so often that it ceased to surprise me.

The Guardian - Travel

If that ever happened, it ceased long ago.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Replace the generic pronoun "it" with a noun or noun phrase whenever possible to provide precision and clarity in writing. For example, instead of "It ceased," consider "The company ceased operations".

Common error

Avoid using "it ceased" without clearly establishing what "it" refers to. Ensure your reader understands the subject that has stopped or ended to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it ceased" functions as a declarative statement, indicating that something has stopped or terminated. Ludwig shows numerous examples where "it ceased" is used to describe the end of operations, publications, or activities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Encyclopedias

21%

Wiki

19%

Less common in

Science

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it ceased" is a common and grammatically correct way to indicate that something has stopped or come to an end. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's frequently used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Wiki sources. While "it ceased" can be used in both formal and neutral settings, it's important to ensure that the context clearly identifies what "it" refers to. Consider alternatives like "it stopped" or "it ended" to maintain clarity and flow in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it stopped

A more general and common way to express that something has ended.

it ended

Similar to 'stopped' but may imply a natural conclusion.

it discontinued

Emphasizes the act of stopping something officially or intentionally.

it concluded

Suggests a more formal or planned ending.

it terminated

Highlights a formal or decisive end to something.

it lapsed

Implies that something expired or became invalid through disuse or time.

it vanished

Suggests a disappearance, either literal or figurative.

it dissolved

Implies a breaking apart or disintegration.

it went out of business

Specifically refers to a company or business stopping operations.

it was no more

A more dramatic or literary way to say something has ended.

FAQs

What does "it ceased" mean?

The phrase "it ceased" means that something has stopped or come to an end. It's a formal way of saying that an action, process, or state has terminated.

What can I say instead of "it ceased"?

You can use alternatives like "it stopped", "it ended", or "it discontinued" depending on the context.

How do I use "it ceased" in a sentence?

Use "it ceased" to indicate that something has come to an end. For example, "The company struggled for years before "it ceased operations"."

Is "it ceased" formal or informal?

"It ceased" is generally considered more formal than alternatives like "it stopped" or "it ended". It's often used in professional or academic writing.