reached a standstill

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reached a standstill" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where progress has halted or come to a complete stop. Example: "After several hours of negotiation, the talks reached a standstill, and no agreement was made."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

However, negotiations reached a standstill.

The Guardian

The NFL and NFLPA reached a standstill agreement in July, keeping the league's implementation of the May policy and the union's grievance on hold while the two sides sought a mutually agreeable resolution.

The Washington Post

With Mrs. Heng assisting at the clinic, the midwife began to worry that Mrs. Sna's labor had reached a standstill and decided she should be taken to the hospital in Snay Pol, where surgeons and better equipment were available.

The New York Times

Signs of a comeback can be found in sectors like auto production, retail sales and, little by little, construction, which is taking its first baby steps after lean years when building practically reached a standstill.

The New York Times

The real story, as explained by Linda Greenhouse, a former New York Times reporter who now teaches at Yale Law School, and Reva Siegel, a professor there, is that political conflict over abortion was escalating before the Roe decision, and that state progress on decriminalization had reached a standstill in the face of opposition from the Roman Catholic Church.

The New York Times

A recent meeting between Iraq's interim prime minister, Dr. Allawi, and a delegation of tribal sheiks from Falluja who have pledged fealty to Mr. Janabi is said to have reached a standstill accord, with Dr. Allawi promising not to sanction large-scale American attacks on the Anbar cities, and the sheiks conveying Mr. Janabi's pledge to halt militant attacks on the Americans.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Progress slows until you reach a standstill.

The New Yorker

To progress: Middle East peace talks, after reaching a standstill in early October.

The New Yorker

They wait for the bus to reach a standstill, break the windows and snatch bags from terrified occupants.

The Guardian

Once the dice reaches a standstill, the Farkle game service is notified.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

OPEC failed to reach a standstill accord, much less agree to cutting production, and after all the recent production cutting, U.S. production is just 5% below last year, and it remains 10% above the five year average.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To create a more vivid image, consider using variations like "ground to a halt" when describing a slow and gradual stop.

Common error

While "reached a standstill" is a valid phrase, avoid using it repeatedly in close proximity. Vary your language with synonyms like "came to a halt" or "hit a deadlock" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reached a standstill" functions as a predicate in sentences, describing the state of a subject. As Ludwig AI indicates, it correctly depicts halted progress. Examples show its usage in describing negotiations, construction, and even personal life situations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

14%

Science

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reached a standstill" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe situations where progress has stopped. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides various examples from reliable sources. Its usage is most prevalent in news and media, and while it's appropriate for both formal and informal contexts, synonyms like "came to a halt" or "hit a deadlock" can prevent overuse. When employing this phrase, consider its implications of halted progress and choose it when this meaning is precisely what you want to express.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

came to a standstill

Slightly different wording, but carries the same meaning of complete cessation.

came to a halt

Indicates an abrupt stop, suggesting a sudden interruption of progress.

deadlocked

Similar to "hit a deadlock", focusing on the inability to move forward due to conflict.

hit a deadlock

Emphasizes a situation where opposing forces prevent any further progress.

reached an impasse

Highlights a situation where disagreement prevents further advancement.

ground to a halt

Suggests a gradual slowing down before stopping completely.

ceased progress

More formal and explicitly states the end of progress.

stalled

A more concise way of saying progress has stopped.

halted

A simple and direct synonym for stopped.

hit a brick wall

Implies encountering an insurmountable obstacle.

FAQs

How can I use "reached a standstill" in a sentence?

You can use "reached a standstill" to describe a situation where progress has stopped. For example: "Negotiations between the two companies "reached a standstill" after disagreements over pricing".

What are some alternatives to saying "reached a standstill"?

Alternatives include "came to a halt", "hit a deadlock", or "stalled", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "came to a standstill" or "reached a standstill"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice often depends on personal preference or the specific context. "Reached a standstill" may imply some initial movement before stopping, while "came to a standstill" simply indicates a stop.

What does it mean when something has "reached a standstill"?

It means that progress or movement has stopped completely. This can apply to various situations, such as negotiations, projects, or even physical processes. It suggests that whatever was moving forward is now stationary or inactive.