she was stopped

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "she was stopped" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is prevented from continuing an action or movement, often by an external force or authority. Example: "As she was walking to the store, she was stopped by a friend who wanted to chat."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She was stopped from finishing the job".

The Guardian - Books

She was stopped by the skyscraper-high rents.

The New York Times

The government said she was stopped for her own protection.

The New York Times

She was stopped, and a large explosion followed.

The New York Times

Recently she was stopped and asked whether she had any marijuana.

The Economist

She was stopped by the doctor, who pointed out my head and legs.

The New Yorker

When she was stopped as others boarded in Istanbul, and asked to wait, she knew.

The Washington Post

She was stopped for speeding, failed a breathalyzer test, and was charged with drunken driving.

The New York Times

She was stopped by the police, and drug-making ingredients were found in her car.

The New York Times

But before she had taken 10 steps, she was stopped by a police guard.

The New York Times - Travel

One day last December, on her way back from Lagos, she was stopped by policemen.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context to choose a more specific synonym, such as "detained" or "intercepted", if the reason for stopping is important.

Common error

Avoid using active voice constructions when the emphasis should be on the person being stopped, not the stopper. For instance, instead of saying 'The police stopped her', if the focus is on her experience, 'she was stopped by the police' is more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "she was stopped" is as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject (she) is the recipient of the action. This contrasts with an active voice construction where the subject performs the action. As Ludwig AI shows, the phrase is commonly used in news and media contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Wiki

1%

Huffington Post

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "she was stopped" is a common and grammatically correct passive voice construction used to describe a situation where a female subject's progress is interrupted by an external force. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's frequently found in news and media contexts, serving to report factual events. While synonyms like "she was halted" or "she was detained" offer nuanced alternatives, "she was stopped" remains a versatile and widely understood expression. Remember to use the passive voice strategically, focusing on the subject's experience when the actor is less important. The phrase demonstrates a neutral tone, suitable for factual reporting and general communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

she was halted

Replaces "stopped" with a synonym, implying a more abrupt or forceful halt.

she was intercepted

Suggests a planned or strategic prevention of movement.

she was detained

Implies a temporary holding, often by authorities.

she was apprehended

Suggests capture, often in a legal context.

she was obstructed

Focuses on the act of blocking her progress.

she was prevented from proceeding

More formal and explicitly states that she could not continue.

she was barred from continuing

Emphasizes a prohibition or restriction.

she met resistance

Highlights the opposition she faced.

her progress was impeded

Focuses on the slowing down or hindering of her movement.

she encountered an obstacle

Highlights the presence of a barrier.

FAQs

How can I use "she was stopped" in a sentence?

Use "she was stopped" when you want to describe a situation where a female subject's progress or action was interrupted by an external force or authority. For example, "she was stopped by the police for speeding".

What can I say instead of "she was stopped"?

You can use alternatives like "she was halted", "she was detained", or "she was intercepted" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "she was stopped" or "someone stopped her"?

The choice depends on the emphasis. "She was stopped" emphasizes the subject's experience, while "Someone stopped her" focuses on the actor. The passive voice can be useful when the actor is unknown or unimportant.

What's the difference between "she was stopped" and "she stopped"?

"She was stopped" implies an external force caused the cessation, whereas "She stopped" indicates a voluntary action on her part. For instance, "she was stopped by the guard" versus "She stopped to admire the view".