stop

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "stop" is correct and commonly used in written English.
You can use it as a verb ("Stop talking!"), an interjection ("Stop!"), and a noun ("The stop sign was red."). Example sentence: The tour guide asked the group to stop for a rest break.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Next stop, Brooklyn!

The New York Times

Stop,' " he said.

The New York Times

And why stop there?

The New York Times - Tech

You lost, stop being so damn jealous and move forward".

The Guardian

"They knew we wanted to stop consumers being ripped off, but weren't convinced we also wanted businesses to grow and flourish.

The Guardian

People knew how we wanted to stop exploitation in the workplace, but not how we'd grow our workplaces to create more jobs and stronger growth.

The Guardian

"This has got to stop.

The New York Times - Health

But he does not stop there.

The New York Times - Arts

And it didn't stop there.

The New York Times

Please stop.

The New York Times

And as we meet here, we again declare that the regime of Bashar al-Assad must come to an end so that the suffering of the Syrian people can stop and a new dawn can begin.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing dialogue, remember that the imperative "stop" can convey urgency or command. Consider the tone you wish to create.

Common error

Avoid using "stop" without a clear object or context. Instead of saying "We need to stop", specify what needs to be stopped: "We need to "stop the bleeding"" or "We need to "stop the project"". Clarity enhances comprehension.

Linguistic Context

The word "stop" functions primarily as a verb, indicating the action of ceasing movement or activity. It can also function as a noun, referring to the act of stopping or a place where stopping occurs. Ludwig provides examples that illustrate these different usages.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "stop" is a versatile term with multiple functions, as highlighted by Ludwig. It primarily acts as a verb to indicate cessation, but also functions as a noun and an interjection. With a neutral register, its usage spans various contexts, predominantly in news, scientific, and business domains. Common errors involve vague instructions, which can be avoided by specifying what needs to be stopped. Ludwig AI confirms the word is commonly used in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cease

Implies a more formal or gradual ending.

halt

Suggests a sudden or abrupt termination.

discontinue

Indicates the termination of something ongoing.

terminate

Emphasizes a definitive end.

end

A general term for bringing something to a conclusion.

desist

Suggests refraining from doing something, often after being told to.

break off

Implies an abrupt ending to a relationship or activity.

bring to an end

A more descriptive way of saying "stop", emphasizing the act of ending something.

put an end to

Emphasizes the act of stopping something, often undesirable.

cut short

Indicates an abrupt or premature ending.

FAQs

How can I use "stop" in a sentence?

"Stop" can be used as a verb: "Please "stop talking"." As a noun: "The bus "stop is here"." Or as an interjection: "Stop! Don't move."

What can I say instead of "stop"?

Alternatives include "cease", "halt", "discontinue", or "terminate", depending on the specific context and desired formality.

Which is correct, "stop to do" or "stop doing"?

"Stop to do" indicates stopping one action in order to do something else (e.g., "I stopped to buy milk"). "Stop doing" means to cease an action (e.g., "I stopped smoking").

What's the difference between "stop" and "pause"?

"Stop" implies a complete cessation, whereas "pause" suggests a temporary interruption with the intention of resuming later. Think of a paused movie versus a stopped one.