stopped a bit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "stopped a bit" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a brief pause or interruption in an action or process. Example: "During the meeting, he stopped a bit to gather his thoughts before continuing his presentation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"After we stopped a bit, thinking we had done the most difficult thing already.

BBC

If you stopped a bit you've made progress!

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Nothing really serious happened but you don't like when a horse stop a bit lame.

The Guardian - Sport

And we're going to be doing a lot in Women in Journalism to stop a bit of that".

The Guardian

Bikes bring you closer and allow you to stop a bit more, but you are still encumbered with gear.

The Guardian

Mike Bowers/The Global Mail It's been a choppy morning - so I see some benefit in stopping a bit earlier than normal to summarise events.

The Guardian

Jon Orloff, Bethesda, Md.: Your column on the trouble in Iraq, credited to the blunders of the administration in not providing troops in sufficient quantity, stops a bit short.

The New York Times

The next ball stops a bit on him, slows off the pitch, and he struggles to time the short ball, bunting it away awkwardly for a single on the pull short.

The Guardian - Sport

9th over: West Indies 90-0 (Charles 37, Gayle 48) Nasser reckons 160 will be a tricky target, with the ball stopping a bit in the pitch for the spinners.

The Guardian - Sport

Sadly, this plea for a return to high principle and unifying philosophy stops a bit short of unselfish patriotism.

Huffington Post

I think that in some small way, people like me, DJ, and Ann are trying to get you to stop long enough to laugh, and then maybe stop a bit longer to take a breath and relax.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context and formality of your writing. While "stopped a bit" is generally acceptable, more formal situations might benefit from alternatives like "paused briefly".

Common error

Avoid using "stopped a bit" excessively in formal or academic writing. While grammatically correct, it can sound informal. Opt for more sophisticated synonyms like "paused momentarily" or "interrupted briefly" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stopped a bit" functions as a verb phrase, indicating a temporary cessation or pause. It describes an action that has been briefly interrupted, as seen in the examples from Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "stopped a bit" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to indicate a brief pause or interruption. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides examples from various sources. While generally acceptable, it's essential to consider the context. For more formal writing, alternatives like "paused briefly" or "interrupted briefly" might be more appropriate. Understanding its usage and exploring alternatives will help enhance clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

paused briefly

Indicates a short pause, more concise than "stopped a bit".

paused for a moment

Similar meaning, but emphasizes the duration.

halted momentarily

Suggests a temporary stop, slightly more formal.

took a short break

Emphasizes the break aspect, rather than just the stopping.

suspended briefly

Implies a temporary suspension of something.

interrupted briefly

Focuses on the interruption of an action.

ceased temporarily

A more formal way of saying stopped for a limited time.

broke off for a while

Suggests a more distinct separation or end.

eased off slightly

Indicates a reduction in intensity, rather than a complete stop.

slowed down briefly

Suggests a reduction in speed rather than a complete stop.

FAQs

What does "stopped a bit" mean?

"Stopped a bit" means paused briefly or interrupted something for a short period. It implies a temporary cessation of an action or process.

How can I use "stopped a bit" in a sentence?

You can use "stopped a bit" to describe a brief pause: "The music "stopped a bit" before resuming with a faster tempo."

What can I say instead of "stopped a bit"?

You can use alternatives like "paused briefly", "halted momentarily", or "interrupted briefly", depending on the context.

Is "stopped a bit" too informal for academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "stopped a bit" may be considered too informal for academic writing. In such contexts, consider using more formal alternatives like "paused briefly" or "interrupted briefly".