put a stop to

USAGE SUMMARY

"put a stop to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to ending or ceasing something. For example: "The government put a stop to the protests in the city."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

put a stop to them.

The New Yorker

We put a stop to that".

The New Yorker

Josh put a stop to it.

The New York Times

Three things put a stop to them.

The Economist

— Tanka Bhujel put a stop to it.

The New Yorker

The maestro put a stop to that.

The New York Times - Arts

"I'll put a stop to it".

The Guardian

Trump just put a stop to it.

The Washington Post

Ms. Manigault put a stop to it.

The New York Times

But Dimon put a stop to it.

The Washington Post

Let's put a stop to that".

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "put a stop to", ensure the context clearly indicates what action or situation is being ended or prevented. Clarity is key for effective communication.

Common error

Avoid using "put a stop to" when a simple modification or adjustment is needed. This phrase implies a complete cessation, so ensure it aligns with the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "put a stop to" functions as an idiomatic verb phrase. It's used to express the action of ending or preventing something, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples, like stopping unwanted behavior or terminating a project. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Formal & Business

13%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "put a stop to" is a very common and usable idiomatic phrase that signifies ending or preventing something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It's most frequently found in news and media contexts, with neutral formality. When writing, it's crucial to ensure the context clearly indicates what is being stopped and to avoid overuse in situations requiring only minor adjustments. Alternatives like "bring to an end" or "curtail" may be more suitable in certain formal or nuanced situations. The frequency of this phrase in reputable sources highlights its reliability and broad applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

put an end to

Very similar in meaning, but slightly more concise and direct.

halt

A simple and direct synonym emphasizing the cessation of movement or activity.

bring to an end

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the completion or termination of something.

call a halt to

Implies a more sudden or abrupt cessation.

clamp down on

Suggests stricter measures to suppress or control something.

check

Implies controlling or restraining something.

curtail

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes a reduction or limitation.

squash

Suggests decisively crushing or suppressing something undesirable.

terminate

Indicates a formal and definitive ending.

quash

Means to reject or void, often in a legal context.

FAQs

How can I use "put a stop to" in a sentence?

Use "put a stop to" to indicate the termination of an activity or behavior. For instance, "The company decided to "put a stop to" further investments in the project".

What is a more formal way to say "put a stop to"?

A more formal alternative to "put a stop to" is "bring to an end", which emphasizes completion or termination in a professional setting.

Is it always appropriate to use "put a stop to"?

While "put a stop to" is generally acceptable, consider the context. In situations requiring a nuanced or less abrupt termination, alternatives like "curtail" or "limit" might be more fitting.

What's the difference between "put a stop to" and "call a halt to"?

"Put a stop to" is a general phrase for ending something. "Call a halt to" suggests a more sudden or immediate cessation of activity.