quit at once

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "quit at once" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to instruct someone to stop doing something immediately. Example: "If you feel uncomfortable, I urge you to quit at once and seek help."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

His own party, the Congresso Nacional de Reconstrução de Timor-Leste, or CNRT, pleaded with him not to quit at once.

The Economist

But what really created a stir was when five female anchors quit at once in May after what they said was abusive talk and harassment from then deputy news editor in chief Ayman Jaballah.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The rest of the parliamentary group favoured quitting at once, arguing that Labour had little influence over Mr Sharon.

The Guardian

As smokers' responses to GHWs and perceptions of their cigarette packs might conceivably be related to their quitting experiences or propensity towards quitting, we also included quit attempts in the past 12 months as a control variable (1=tried to quit at least once in the past 12 months, 0=did not).

BMJ Open

Weil may or may not have been ousted (Dorsey insists his execs quit all at once), but if he's headed to ultra popular Instagram, it looks like he will have the last laugh.

TechCrunch

The team that has become known for squandering double-figure leads, losing games in the final moments, quitting at least once and even rallying from huge deficits on occasion outdid itself today.

The New York Times - Sports

Almost two-thirds (386, 64.3%) of participants had tried quitting at least once during the previous 12 months; 43.2% reported multiple quit attempts.

BMJ Open

Smokers who were currently smoking from a plain pack were almost twice as likely to report that they had thought about quitting at least once a day over the past week (AdjOR=1.81, p=0.013) when compared with smokers of branded packs.

BMJ Open

Participants could quit at any time, but once they did, the contents of all the remaining boxes would be revealed -- so they'd get a good look at what they missed out on.

Huffington Post

A chronic alcoholic who quits all at once can be at major risk for health related issues.

WikiHow

This is a good way of weaning your body off off nicotine instead of quitting all at once.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "quit at once" when you want to convey a sense of urgency and immediacy in stopping an action or leaving a position. It's suitable for situations where a prompt cessation is required or expected.

Common error

While "quit at once" is grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal or dramatic in casual conversations. Consider using simpler alternatives like "stop now" or "quit right away" in informal settings to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "quit at once" functions as a directive, urging immediate termination or cessation of an action. Ludwig provides examples of its usage in contexts where prompt action is required.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "quit at once" is a grammatically sound phrase used to convey the urgent need to stop an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for situations where immediacy is key. While it can sound formal, its usage is straightforward. Alternative phrases such as "stop immediately" or "resign immediately" may be more appropriate in certain contexts. Predominantly found in news and media, and scientific sources, "quit at once" is less common in everyday conversation. It’s important to use it judiciously to avoid sounding overly dramatic or out of place.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stop immediately

Focuses on the action of ceasing something without delay.

resign immediately

Emphasizes a formal departure or resignation with a sense of urgency.

terminate immediately

Suggests a formal or abrupt end to something.

discontinue immediately

Highlights the act of stopping something that is ongoing, without delay.

end it immediately

Emphasizes the finality and urgency of bringing something to a conclusion.

cease forthwith

A more formal and somewhat archaic way of saying stop immediately.

desist immediately

A formal way of demanding someone stops doing something right now.

leave immediately

Focuses on the act of departing or abandoning a situation without delay.

walk out immediately

Implies a sudden and often dramatic departure.

give up instantly

Highlights the act of abandoning a task or goal without delay.

FAQs

How can I use "quit at once" in a sentence?

You can use "quit at once" to express the need for an immediate cessation of an action, as in "If you feel unsafe, you should "quit at once"."

What's a less formal alternative to "quit at once"?

Alternatives include "stop immediately" or "quit right away", which are more suitable for casual conversations.

Is it grammatically correct to say "quit at once"?

Yes, "quit at once" is grammatically correct. It functions as a verb phrase with an adverb, indicating the immediacy of the action.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "quit at once"?

It is appropriate to use "quit at once" when you want to emphasize the urgency of stopping something, particularly in formal or serious situations. You could also use alternatives like "resign immediately", if the context fits the best.