stopped in place

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "stopped in place" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone or something has come to a halt and is not moving from that location. Example: "The car suddenly stopped in place, blocking the entire road."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The dog stopped in place, with his head high and front legs straight down.

The New York Times - Sports

Construction projects stopped in place, and tourist spending on the Las Vegas Strip, the economic driver of this city, went into an alarming slide.

The New York Times

With their new interim peace accord stopped in place the day it was formally to begin, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel and Yasir Arafat, the Palestinian leader, both insisted today that the carefully sequenced security-for-land plan can still proceed nearly on schedule.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"I stopped in different places," he said.

The New York Times

Building was stopped in some places so that it could be done well in others.

The Guardian

Frantic sandbagging efforts stopped in places like Quincy, Ill., and Winfield, Mo.

The New York Times

Gabbard warned that, in some ways, the threat from the sulfur dioxide gas could be more dangerous than the lava flows, which had stopped in places after the eruption.

The Washington Post

On Monday, Mr. Corzine swept through bedroom communities like Lyndhurst and Clifton along with Newark and Hoboken; Mr. Christie stopped in places like Nutley and Livingston and Christopher J. Daggettthethe independent candidate, was in Montclair and Ridgewood.

The New York Times

It could have stopped in places like Minneapolis and Rochester, Minnesota, which together have a world-leading biotech cluster.

TechCrunch

Last week we stopped in places that tell our culinary and criminal history.

Huffington Post

Last year, the guerrilla filmmaker traversed Interstate 4 and stopped in places like Cocoa Beach, Clearwater, Inverness, and Ocala with a four-person crew.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "stopped in place" to clearly indicate that something or someone has come to a complete halt and is not moving from that specific location. This phrase is particularly effective when emphasizing the suddenness or unexpected nature of the stop.

Common error

Avoid using "stopped in place" when describing abstract concepts or processes that are merely delayed or slowed down, rather than completely halted. For instance, it would be more accurate to say 'the project was delayed' instead of 'the project stopped in place' if the project is still ongoing, even if progressing slowly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stopped in place" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the completion of an action (stopping) and specifying the state of being fixed at a particular location. It's often used to describe the state of an object or person that has ceased movement and remains in a specific position, as evidenced by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "stopped in place" is a grammatically correct and understandable expression used to describe the action of ceasing movement and remaining in a specific location. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is appropriate in a variety of contexts, although more common in news, scientific, and wiki sources. When writing, consider alternative phrases like "halted in position" or "frozen in position" to add nuance to your description. Remember to avoid using "stopped in place" for abstract or ongoing processes, as it implies a complete and permanent cessation. By keeping these points in mind, you can effectively and accurately use the phrase "stopped in place" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

halted in position

Replaces "stopped" with "halted" and "place" with "position", emphasizing a more formal and deliberate cessation.

motionless where it stood

Focuses on the lack of movement and the specific location of the subject.

immobile on the spot

Highlights the inability to move and the exact location.

frozen in position

Suggests a sudden and abrupt stop, as if fixed in place by cold or fear.

brought to a standstill

Implies an external force or action caused the stopping.

came to a dead stop

Emphasizes the completeness and finality of the stopping action.

remained stationary

Highlights the state of not moving, often used in a scientific or technical context.

fixed in location

Emphasizes the immobility and the importance of the specific location.

at a standstill

A more general way to describe a state of inactivity or cessation of movement.

ceased moving

A straightforward description of the action of stopping.

FAQs

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

You can use "stopped in place" to describe something or someone that has come to a complete halt and is not moving. For example: "The dog "halted in position", his attention fixed on the squirrel."

What is a good alternative to "stopped in place"?

Alternatives to "stopped in place" include "remained stationary", "frozen in position", or "came to a dead stop", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "halted in place" instead of "stopped in place"?

Yes, "halted in place" is a correct and more formal alternative to "stopped in place". Both phrases indicate a cessation of movement, but "halted" often suggests a more deliberate or forceful stop than "stopped".

What does "stopped in place" imply about the subject's movement?

"Stopped in place" implies that the subject was previously moving and has now come to a complete standstill at a specific location. It emphasizes the cessation of movement and the fixed position of the subject.