stopped in front of

USAGE SUMMARY

"stopped in front of" is correct and usable in written English.
It suggests that someone or something has come to a halt just before a certain point or location. For example: "She stopped in front of the store and pondered what to buy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Another woman stopped in front of SweeTango.

The New Yorker

We stopped in front of Belle's building.

The New Yorker

The truck stopped in front of him.

The New Yorker

He stopped in front of the bookcase.

The New Yorker

Jacques stopped in front of the closed office door.

The New Yorker

We stopped in front of the Cadieux Cafe".

The New York Times

Are you?" I stopped in front of her.

The New Yorker

Sq. bus when it stopped in front of the….

The New Yorker

She stopped in front of a brownstone, summoning another image.

The New Yorker

A red car stopped in front of the tea shop.

The New Yorker

He stopped in front of a book shop.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "stopped in front of", ensure the context clearly indicates what or who is doing the stopping and what they are stopping before. This enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "stopped in front of" with abstract nouns. This phrase is best suited for physical locations or objects. For instance, instead of saying "He stopped in front of the problem", use "He paused to consider the problem".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stopped in front of" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb to indicate the location where an action (stopping) occurs. Ludwig examples show various subjects (people, vehicles) halting at specific places.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "stopped in front of" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase. It is primarily employed to indicate the precise location where an action of stopping occurs. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media, ensuring its comprehensibility and applicability in diverse writing scenarios. While alternatives exist, "stopped in front of" remains a clear and effective choice for specifying a physical location of cessation. Pay attention to using it with concrete nouns.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

halted before

Uses a more formal verb "halted" instead of "stopped", which may be suitable for more formal contexts.

paused before

Suggests a brief interruption rather than a complete stop.

came to a standstill at

This phrase is more descriptive, emphasizing the act of ceasing movement at a location.

drew up to

Implies a deliberate act of pulling closer and stopping.

pulled up at

Specifically suggests vehicular movement to a stop.

broke stride before

Suggests the interruption of an action or event, especially while walking or running.

arrived at

Focuses on the arrival at a destination, rather than the act of stopping.

paused opposite

Implies a stop directly across from something.

pulled over at

More informal and emphasizes the act of intentionally moving a vehicle to the side of the road and stopping.

rested before

Implies a brief pause or break before something.

FAQs

How can I use "stopped in front of" in a sentence?

Use "stopped in front of" to describe someone or something halting before a specific location or object. For example, "The taxi stopped in front of the hotel" or "She stopped in front of the mirror to check her appearance."

What are some alternatives to "stopped in front of"?

You can use alternatives like "halted before", "paused before", or "came to a standstill at" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "stopped at" instead of "stopped in front of"?

While "stopped at" can sometimes be used similarly, it often implies stopping directly at a location without necessarily being in front of it. For example, "stopped at the intersection" vs. "stopped in front of the building".

What's the difference between "stopped in front of" and "paused before"?

"Stopped in front of" suggests a complete cessation of movement, while "paused before" implies a temporary halt. The choice depends on whether the stop is intended to be brief or indefinite.