quit speaking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "quit speaking" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to tell someone to stop talking or to cease their verbal communication. Example: "During the meeting, I had to ask him to quit speaking so that others could share their thoughts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Of particular interest to auto enthusiasts are the huge and spectacular "round door" Rolls, the Ferrari given to Henry Ford II by Enzo Ferrari before those two quit speaking to each other and the red Bentley with "HOT ROD" license plates driven daily by Robert E. Petersen, the magazine publisher and founder of the museum.

The New York Times

Simultaneously coming into the light are the secrets Carey has brought with her, from the embarrassment she feels at not fitting in with her new family and classmates to much darker, buried truths, like the things her mother made her do with the men who visited the camper, and the heartbreaking reason Jenessa quit speaking a year earlier.

The New York Times - Books

Quit speaking in code, warning Sean to guard his heart.

Huffington Post

1. Quit speaking in labels, starting with a ban on the phrases Mean Girl and Nice Girl.

Huffington Post

Now, if I just could quit speaking Spanish in my sleep... Retired U.S. Air Force Officer and Writer.

Huffington Post

The report said that Kelly and Stepien had a "personal relationship" during the summer of 2013, but said the relationship had cooled by August and the two had largely quit speaking. .

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

A woman who has begun the process of joining the order, but asked that she not be identified because she had not told her employer that she plans to quit, spoke of the difficulties, doubts and rewards she experienced along the way.

The New York Times

No Smoking Day is on March 11 , 2015and we urge smokers who want to quit to speak to their GP about NHS stop-smoking services.

Independent

The engineer who quit also spoke to Paul M. Blanch, who was hired by Con Ed to restore the confidence of the public and plant workers.

The New York Times

And Michael Mark, the nurse who runs the quit line, spoke with Mr. Krygowski, who was recently laid off from a marketing job in which he stood outside gas stations, dispensing coupons for free cigarettes.

The New York Times

However, when we asked whether they "would encourage others to quit", more Mandarin speaking smokers answered yes to (n=45) than Cantonese speaking smokers (n=23) (χ=5.172, df=1, p<0.05).

BMJ Open

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "quit speaking" when you want to directly instruct someone to stop talking, especially if their speech is disruptive or inappropriate. It is suitable for situations needing immediate silence.

Common error

Avoid using "quit speaking" in highly formal settings where a more polite request such as "please hold your comments" is more appropriate. "Quit speaking" can sound harsh if not used carefully.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "quit speaking" functions primarily as an imperative, directly instructing someone to stop talking. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, noting its use in real-world contexts. It can also be understood as a declarative statement about someone ceasing to speak.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Wiki

21%

Science

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

8%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "quit speaking" is a grammatically correct and usable directive to stop talking, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While not overly formal, it's frequently found in News & Media, with a somewhat abrupt connotation. Alternative phrases like "stop talking" or "cease speaking" may be more suitable for certain contexts. Use "quit speaking" when a direct command is needed, but consider the social context to avoid sounding overly harsh.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stop talking

Changes the verb while retaining the direct meaning of ceasing to speak.

cease talking

Replaces "quit" with a more formal synonym and keeps the act of talking.

refrain from speaking

Adds a layer of conscious effort to avoid speaking.

remain silent

Focuses on maintaining silence rather than stopping speech.

hold one's tongue

An idiomatic expression for restraining oneself from speaking.

fall silent

Describes the act of becoming quiet, often suddenly.

become mute

Emphasizes the inability or unwillingness to speak.

desist from speaking

Uses a more formal term for stopping, emphasizing a deliberate action.

no longer speak

Indicates a permanent or long-term cessation of speaking.

end the conversation

Focuses on stopping a specific instance of speaking rather than speaking in general.

FAQs

How can I use "quit speaking" in a sentence?

You can use "quit speaking" to directly instruct someone to stop talking. For example, "I had to tell him to quit speaking because he was interrupting the meeting."

What are some alternatives to "quit speaking"?

Alternatives include "stop talking", "cease speaking", or "remain silent" depending on the context.

Is "quit speaking" the same as "stop speaking"?

While similar, "quit speaking" often implies a more abrupt or forceful request to stop, whereas "stop speaking" can be a more neutral request.

When is it appropriate to use "quit speaking" instead of a more polite phrase?

Use "quit speaking" when a direct, immediate cessation of speech is required, such as when someone is being disruptive or inappropriate. In more formal situations, consider phrases like "please "hold your comments"".