stop development

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Stop development" is a grammatically correct sentence fragment, but it is not a complete sentence.
You can use it as the imperative form of a command in written English. For example: "Stop development on the new project. Resources need to be reallocated to help complete the current projects first."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"It's too easy to say, 'The big bad developers.' There are big bad developers, but you're not supposed to use landmarks to stop development".

The New York Times - Arts

"Their objective is to stop development.

The New York Times

How can we stop development from destroying the human race?

The New Yorker

"It's not going to stop development totally," he said.

The New York Times

(John Kerry says he would also stop development of any new nuclear weapons).

The New York Times - Magazine

"We're not trying to stop development, we're trying to manage it".

The New York Times

The statement did not specify what actions the groups would take to stop development.

The Guardian

The state maintains it has the regulatory authority to stop development on the site.

The New York Times

"If people really wanted to stop development," she said, "they should've started before people built all those houses".

The New York Times

Towns have found, as New Milford did with Stilson Hill Road, that the ordinance can't stop development.

The New York Times

A recent decision in the United States shows that not everyone is willing to stop development of nuclear power plants.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "stop development", be specific about what kind of development is being halted (e.g., "stop residential development", "stop nuclear weapons development"). This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "stop development" without specifying the scope. Saying simply "stop development" can be confusing or misleading. Instead, clarify the specific area or type of development you are referring to.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stop development" functions primarily as an imperative, urging the cessation of a building or project. According to Ludwig, it's a grammatically correct sentence fragment frequently used in news and media to express concerns about construction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Social Media

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "stop development" is a frequently used imperative phrase that signals a desire to halt construction or projects, often due to concerns about environmental impact or community interests. Ludwig's analysis confirms its grammatical correctness, though it benefits from specificity to avoid ambiguity. It's most commonly found in news and media contexts, reflecting its role in public discourse. While alternatives like "halt development" or "cease construction" offer similar meanings, "stop development" is a direct and widely understood call to action. Remember to clarify the scope of development being stopped for maximum impact and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

halt development

Replaces "stop" with a synonym, "halt", maintaining the original meaning with a slightly more formal tone.

cease construction

Focuses on the physical aspect of development, implying a halt to building activities.

end construction

Similar to "cease construction", but with a stronger emphasis on finality.

suspend building

Suggests a temporary pause in construction or development, unlike the more permanent implication of "stop".

discontinue construction

Formally announces the termination of building operations

block progress

Shifts focus to the broader concept of "progress" being halted, rather than just the "development" itself.

curtail expansion

Emphasizes limiting or reducing the scale of expansion, rather than a complete stop.

impede growth

Highlights the slowing down or obstruction of growth, which can be a consequence of halting development.

restrict building

Indicates placing limitations or controls on building activities, which can effectively stop or slow development.

prevent progress

Focuses on preventing forward movement or advancement, which development often represents.

FAQs

How can I use "stop development" in a sentence?

You can use "stop development" as a directive, like "The council voted to "stop development" on the wetlands". It can also describe an action or goal, such as "Their objective is to "stop development" in the area".

What are some alternatives to "stop development"?

Alternatives include "halt development", "cease construction", or "suspend building", depending on the specific context and desired nuance.

Is "stopping development" grammatically different from "stop development"?

"Stopping development" uses the gerund form, functioning as a noun (e.g., "Stopping development is their main goal"), while "stop development" is an imperative (e.g., "Stop development immediately!").

What implications does using "stop development" have?

Using "stop development" often implies a strong stance against further construction or progress in a particular area, potentially due to environmental, social, or economic concerns.