stopped speaking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "stopped speaking" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone has ceased to talk or communicate verbally. Example: "After realizing the tension in the room, she stopped speaking and listened to the others."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Friends have stopped speaking.

The New York Times

She stopped speaking and eating.

The New York Times

Hermann stopped speaking to him.

The New Yorker

She had stopped speaking.

The Guardian

Siblings have stopped speaking.

The New York Times

Then she stopped speaking.

The Guardian - Books

People downtown stopped speaking to her.

The New Yorker

We had stopped fighting, almost stopped speaking.

The New York Times

She stopped speaking to me.

The Guardian

Laurie and Rosanna stopped speaking.

The New York Times

At times she stopped speaking.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "stopped speaking" to clearly indicate a cessation of talking, whether temporary or permanent. Consider the context to determine if a more descriptive or nuanced phrase would be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "stopped speaking" when you mean someone paused briefly for thought. Instead, use phrases like "paused" or "hesitated". "Stopped speaking" implies a more definitive end to the conversation or monologue.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stopped speaking" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the termination of the action of speaking. Ludwig provides numerous examples where this phrase is used to describe someone ceasing verbal communication, either temporarily or permanently.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "stopped speaking" is a very common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to indicate the cessation of verbal communication. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears frequently in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. While it's generally appropriate, be mindful of nuances; alternatives such as "ceased to speak" or "fell silent" might be more fitting depending on the specific context. When writing, ensure you’re conveying the intended meaning, differentiating between a temporary pause and a more definitive end to speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ceased to speak

Formal alternative emphasizing a complete halt in speech.

fell silent

Highlights the act of becoming quiet suddenly.

became mute

Focuses on the inability or unwillingness to speak.

refrained from speaking

Emphasizes a deliberate decision not to speak.

quit talking

Informal way to say someone stopped speaking.

shut their mouth

Direct and somewhat impolite way of saying someone stopped speaking.

halted speech

Focuses on the interruption of spoken words.

interrupted their speech

Highlights external factors that can lead to stop of speech.

went quiet

Implies a transition from speaking to silence.

didn't say anything more

Highlights that the speaker is not adding new content.

FAQs

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

You can use "stopped speaking" to indicate that someone has ceased to talk or communicate verbally. For example: "After realizing the tension in the room, she "stopped speaking" and listened to the others."

What are some alternatives to "stopped speaking"?

Alternatives include "ceased to speak", "fell silent", or "became mute", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "stopped to speak" instead of "stopped speaking"?

No, "stopped to speak" implies stopping an action in order to speak, while "stopped speaking" indicates the cessation of the act of speaking itself. They have different meanings and are not interchangeable.

What's the difference between "stopped speaking" and "paused"?

"Stopped speaking" suggests a more definite end to a conversation or monologue, while "paused" implies a temporary break. If you use "paused", you expect that someone will resume speaking.