stop to write

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "stop to write" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating a pause in an activity to engage in writing. Example: "I had to stop to write down my thoughts before they slipped away."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

People come to the site because it has the most reviews written by readers, and they often stop to write some of their own, attracting even more people.

The Economist

The truck driver kept going, and although Ms. Asmundsson made a mental note of the license plate, she couldn't stop to write it down.

The New York Times

Occasionally I had to stop to write for a day or two, and learned that if you spend too many daytime hours in a small-town motel room (let alone a second night) the charm rubs off pretty quick.

The New York Times - Travel

"I bet you it's safe to say I lose 20% of what goes on in my head because I'm currently doing something else, and I can't stop to write it down".

Forbes

HAIL no! Do not stop to write a note or smear Colgate over your teeth or clean up the five coats of mascara that's now dripping down your face.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Even checking references – crucial as that is in academic writing – literally puts a stop to writing.

The Guardian

He stops to write Twitter messages to his growing list of followers.

The New York Times - Sports

Likewise, stopping to write 'please' and 'thank you' in full means a lot,according to Chris West.

Independent

At the protest some demonstrators stopped to write messages in chalk on a wall in downtown Toronto.

The Guardian

We read the text together, stopped to write and reflect often.

Huffington Post

There must be a reason that no one stopped to write this on a wall in the original Alien movie.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "stop to write" when you want to emphasize the interruption of an ongoing activity for the specific purpose of writing something down. Be mindful of the context to ensure it clearly conveys a deliberate pause.

Common error

Avoid using "stop to write" in highly formal or academic writing. Consider using more sophisticated alternatives such as "pause to record" or "interrupt to document" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stop to write" functions as an infinitive of purpose, explaining the reason for stopping. Ludwig provides examples where it is used to describe a pause in an activity specifically for the act of writing something down.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "stop to write" is a grammatically sound construction used to indicate a pause in an ongoing activity to engage in writing. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's considered correct and appears in a variety of contexts, most commonly in news and media. While functional, it's advisable to consider the formality of the context and potentially opt for alternatives like "pause to record" in more professional or academic settings to ensure the tone is appropriate. Understanding this nuance can enhance the precision and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pause to jot down

Replaces "stop" with "pause" and "write" with "jot down", emphasizing a brief interruption for quick writing.

take time out to write

Highlights the act of allocating specific time for the purpose of writing.

take a break to write

Specifies a "break" from an activity to dedicate time to writing.

halt to record

Substitutes "stop" with "halt" and "write" with "record", suggesting a more formal or deliberate writing action.

interrupt to document

Emphasizes the interruption aspect and replaces "write" with "document", implying a formal and detailed writing process.

break off to compose

Suggests a temporary cessation to create a written piece, possibly more elaborate than just "writing".

desist to draft

Uses a more formal term, "desist", for stopping and "draft" for writing, indicating a preliminary version.

suspend to scribe

Replaces "stop" with "suspend" and "write" with "scribe," creating a more archaic and formal tone.

cease to inscribe

Substitutes "stop" with "cease" and "write" with "inscribe", evoking a sense of permanence or importance in the writing.

discontinue to author

Implies a more significant cessation and replaces "write" with "author," indicating a more involved writing task.

FAQs

How can I use "stop to write" in a sentence?

You can use "stop to write" to indicate pausing an activity to write something, as in "I had to "stop to write" down the address before I forgot it".

What are some alternatives to "stop to write"?

Alternatives include "pause to jot down", "take a break to write", or "halt to record", depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

Is it grammatically correct to say "stop to write"?

Yes, "stop to write" is grammatically correct. It uses the infinitive form of "to write" after the verb "stop" to indicate purpose.

What's the difference between "stop to write" and "stop writing"?

"Stop to write" implies a temporary pause in another activity to begin writing, whereas "stop writing" means to cease the act of writing altogether.