stop immediately

USAGE SUMMARY

"stop immediately" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used in various contexts, but typically it is used as a command or instruction for someone to cease their current action or behavior without any delay. Here are a few examples: 1. "The experiment has gone wrong, we need to stop immediately before it causes any further damage." 2. "Stop immediately and put your hands up! You are under arrest for trespassing." 3. "If you start feeling any discomfort during the workout, stop immediately and consult your instructor." 4. "The doctor advised the patient to stop taking the medication immediately due to its dangerous side effects." 5. "While driving, if you see a red light, you must stop immediately to avoid any accidents."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That must "stop immediately".

The Guardian

This conduct must stop immediately".

The New York Times

Stop immediately or you'll go to jail".

The Guardian

Make it clear to everyone, it's got to stop immediately".

The New Yorker

"We were told to stop immediately," he said by phone.

The New York Times

Stop immediately or all options are open," he added.

The Guardian

If she did, our pendulums would stop immediately.

The Guardian

The military exercises and aerial bombings must stop immediately.

The New York Times

Play did not stop immediately, with all players required to complete the set they were playing.

Independent

Mr Davutoglu repeated calls for operations in the area to stop immediately.

Independent

"I'd stop immediately, I'd tell them, if I could afford to," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "stop immediately", ensure the context clearly indicates what action needs to be ceased. Ambiguity can lead to confusion or misinterpretation.

Common error

Avoid using "stop immediately" in situations that don't require immediate cessation. Overusing it can diminish its impact when a genuine emergency arises. Consider less forceful alternatives like "please stop" or "discontinue" in less critical situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stop immediately" functions as an imperative, specifically a direct command or order. It is used to instruct someone to cease their current action without delay, conveying urgency. As seen in Ludwig, Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts, reinforcing its directive nature.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

42%

News & Media

22%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "stop immediately" is a grammatically correct and widely used imperative that serves as a direct command to cease an action without delay. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for various contexts, particularly those requiring urgency. The phrase is most frequently found in Wiki and News & Media sources. When using "stop immediately", clarity is key. Ensure the context makes clear what action should be ceased. Avoid overuse in less urgent scenarios to maintain its impact. Alternatives like ""halt at once"" or ""cease forthwith"" can be considered for varying levels of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

halt at once

Replaces "stop" with "halt" and "immediately" with "at once", emphasizing the urgency and decisiveness.

cease forthwith

Uses more formal synonyms for both "stop" and "immediately", resulting in a more authoritative tone.

discontinue now

Substitutes "stop" with "discontinue" and "immediately" with "now", offering a slightly less urgent but still direct command.

terminate immediately

Replaces "stop" with terminate for a more official tone.

end it instantly

Replaces "stop" with "end it" and "immediately" with "instantly", focusing on the termination of something.

desist immediately

Uses the more formal verb "desist" in place of "stop", maintaining the sense of urgency with "immediately".

hold up now

A less formal alternative, using a phrasal verb and "now" for a sense of immediacy.

break it up now

Implies an intervention to stop something, particularly a fight or disruption.

cut it out instantly

An informal way to tell someone to stop doing something annoying or disruptive.

knock it off immediately

A colloquial expression for telling someone to stop an unwanted behavior right away.

FAQs

What does "stop immediately" mean?

The phrase "stop immediately" is a direct command that means to cease an action or behavior without any delay. It implies a sense of urgency and importance.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "stop immediately"?

Use "stop immediately" when there is an urgent need to cease an action, often due to potential danger, rule violation, or a critical error. It's appropriate in situations where any delay could have negative consequences.

What can I say instead of "stop immediately"?

You can use alternatives like "halt at once", "cease forthwith", or "discontinue now" depending on the level of formality and the specific context.

Is there a difference between "stop immediately" and "stop instantly"?

While both phrases convey the same basic meaning, "stop immediately" may imply a stronger sense of urgency or authority than "stop instantly". The choice between them often depends on the specific situation and the desired tone.