stop working

USAGE SUMMARY

"stop working" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to advise someone to stop doing a certain task or activity. For example, "It's late - you should stop working and get some rest."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Stop working.

The Washington Post

She didn't stop working.

The New York Times

I never stop working.

The Guardian

Who wants to stop working?

The New York Times

Stop working, her doctors advised.

The New York Times

Things stop working.

The New York Times

Did people stop working?

The New Yorker

"We never stop working".

The New York Times - Magazine

Stop working, start playing.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The pesticides stop working?

The New York Times - Magazine

The transport system didn't stop working.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone to "stop working", ensure the context is clear to avoid confusion. For example, specify whether you mean to stop for a break or to end the task entirely.

Common error

While "stop working" is common, avoid overuse in formal writing. Opt for alternatives like "cease working" or "discontinue working" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stop working" primarily functions as an imperative, urging someone to cease their current work activity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s grammatically correct and usable. Examples show it used in various contexts from direct commands to suggestions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "stop working" is a grammatically sound and frequently used imperative, as highlighted by Ludwig AI. It serves to instruct or advise someone to cease their current work, and appears across varied sources like News & Media, Science, and Wiki content. While versatile, consider using more formal alternatives like "cease working" in professional settings. When using this phrase, ensure your context is well-defined, to ensure whether a brief respite or full project termination is meant. Common errors include its overuse in formal settings, where other phrases would add professionalism. Overall, "stop working" is acceptable and commonplace, with multiple variations and contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cease working

A more formal way to say "stop working".

quit working

Implies a more permanent end to working, similar to resigning.

finish working

Suggests completing a specific task or period of work.

discontinue working

A very formal and less common alternative.

take a break from working

Indicates a temporary pause in work.

suspend working

Suggests a temporary interruption of work, possibly planned.

halt working

Implies an abrupt or forceful stop to working.

knock off work

An informal phrase meaning to stop working, often at the end of the day.

down tools

Primarily used in British English, means to stop working, especially as a form of protest.

retire

Implies a permanent withdrawal from the workforce typically due to age.

FAQs

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

You can use "stop working" as an imperative to tell someone to cease their current task, such as "It's getting late, you should stop working for the day."

What's a more formal way to say "stop working"?

For more formal situations, consider using alternatives like "cease working" or "discontinue working".

Is it appropriate to use "stop working" in a business email?

While understandable, "stop working" might be too direct for a business email. Instead, use a more polite phrasing such as "please take a break" or "it may be time to conclude work for the day."

What's the difference between "stop working" and "finish working"?

"Stop working" implies ceasing activity, while "finish working" suggests completing a specific task. You'd "stop working" for the day, but you'd "finish working" on a project.