should be halted

USAGE SUMMARY

"should be halted" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used in a passive construction, where the subject of the sentence is not the one performing the action. It can indicate that an action or process needs to be stopped or paused. Example: The construction work on the bridge should be halted due to safety concerns.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Suspected shipments of arms should be halted and inspected, the resolution said.

The New York Times

"It is clear now that the process of releasing terrorists should be halted immediately".

The New York Times

"These coercive practices are unacceptable, and should be halted," Engel said in the statement.

The New York Times

The program should be halted at least until the public gets a satisfactory accounting.

The New York Times

"It should be halted," he wrote in a letter to Harman.

Independent

The Liberal Democrats have said that the expansion should be halted, as it cannot be afforded.

The Guardian - Opinion

By the nineteen-seventies, several species were nearing extinction, and by the early eighties the I.W.C. decided that commercial hunts should be halted.

The New Yorker

BP's plan for a controversial deep-water oil well off Shetland should be halted by the Government, four of Britain's biggest green groups said last night.

Independent

For the sake of Mr Medvedev's presidency, and Russia's future, this one should be halted long before reaching any similarly grotesque conclusion.

The Economist

Simon Danczuk, a figure on the right wing of the Labour party, has said the leadership race should be halted because of the way it had been conducted.

Independent

Mr. Arinc has said that the government would, for now, follow a local court ruling that the project should be halted for public concerns to be assessed.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "should be halted", ensure the context clearly indicates what action or process is being stopped and why. Providing a clear reason enhances the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "should be halted" excessively in passive constructions without specifying the actor or cause. Instead, try to rephrase the sentence to highlight who or what is responsible for halting the action, making the writing more direct and engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should be halted" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating a recommendation, advisability, or necessity for a particular action or process to be stopped. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and widespread presence in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

19%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "should be halted" is a versatile modal verb phrase used to express the need for stopping an action or process. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical structure is correct, and its occurrence is very common across varied sources. The phrase is predominantly found in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. It carries a neutral tone, making it appropriate for both formal and informal settings. When using this phrase, ensure that the reason for halting the action is clearly articulated to maximize the impact of the message. While generally acceptable, be mindful of overusing passive voice constructions, and consider rephrasing to highlight the actor responsible for initiating the halt.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ought to be stopped

This alternative uses 'ought to' which is a slightly more formal modal verb than 'should'.

needs to be terminated

This phrase uses 'needs to be' which indicates a requirement and 'terminated' which is a stronger word than 'halted'.

must be discontinued

The term 'must be' implies necessity and obligation, 'discontinued' suggests a permanent stop.

has to be ceased

'Has to be' expresses obligation, and 'ceased' implies a complete and permanent ending.

requires immediate cessation

This phrase is more formal, using 'requires' to emphasize necessity and 'cessation' for a formal stop.

demands to be suspended

This variant is stronger, using 'demands' to indicate urgency and 'suspended' for a temporary pause.

warrants being ceased

This is more formal and legalistic; 'warrants' suggests justification, and 'ceased' signifies ending.

calls for termination

This phrase implies a public appeal or need, and termination is more final.

is advised to be stopped

This implies a recommendation rather than a requirement, using 'advised' for counsel.

is recommended to be ceased

This suggests professional guidance, using 'recommended' for suggestion and 'ceased' for finality.

FAQs

How can I use "should be halted" in a sentence?

The phrase "should be halted" is used to express that an action or process needs to be stopped. For example, "The project "should be halted" due to lack of funding".

What are some alternatives to "should be halted"?

Alternatives include "ought to be stopped", "needs to be terminated", or "must be discontinued", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "should be halted" formal or informal?

"Should be halted" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives like "requires immediate cessation" might be preferred in highly formal settings.

What is the difference between "should be halted" and "must be halted"?

"Should be halted" suggests a recommendation or advisability, while "must be halted" implies a necessity or obligation. "Must be halted" indicates a stronger imperative.