stopping that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "stopping that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of ceasing or halting a specific action or behavior. Example: "I think it's time for us to consider stopping that behavior before it escalates."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But what's stopping that?

The Guardian

Stopping that enzyme took the brakes off egg development.

The New York Times - Science

The only thing stopping that happening is avarice.

The Guardian - Sport

The Giants, however, have had no luck stopping that dimension.

The New York Times

Stopping that is not part of NATO's mission.

The New York Times

Stopping that downward momentum, let alone reversing it, is a huge challenge.

The New York Times

I never found a way to observe the drum's rotation without stopping that rotation.

The New Yorker

Stopping that sort of thing by bringing the price down would be a good thing by itself.

The Economist

I didn't see myself ever stopping that kind of lifestyle, because I loved it so much," he says.

The New York Times

"There wasn't any single issue more important than stopping that bill," said State Representative Keith Fitzgerald, a Democrat from Sarasota.

The New York Times

At present, English has borrowed words from over 350 languages, and it shows no signs of stopping that behavior.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "stopping that" when you want to clearly indicate the action of preventing something from continuing or occurring. It's direct and easily understood in most contexts.

Common error

While "stopping that" is generally acceptable, avoid overuse in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "preventing such occurrences" or "mitigating those effects" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stopping that" functions as a gerund phrase, where the verb 'stopping' acts as a noun. It typically serves as the subject or object of a sentence, referring to the act of preventing something. Ludwig AI confirms this, showing its common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "stopping that" is a grammatically sound and frequently used gerund phrase that conveys the act of preventing or ceasing something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, media, and scientific domains. While it maintains a generally neutral tone, users should consider more formal alternatives in highly academic or professional settings. Understanding its function and purpose, as well as avoiding overuse in formal contexts, will allow for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

preventing that

Emphasizes proactive measures to avert something from happening.

halting that

Focuses on bringing something to an immediate stop.

ceasing that

Highlights the termination or discontinuation of an action.

putting a stop to that

Emphasizes a firm decision to end a particular activity.

averting that

Suggests steering away from an undesirable outcome.

thwarting that

Implies actively opposing and hindering something.

curtailing that

Indicates reducing or limiting the extent of something.

blocking that

Focuses on obstructing or impeding something from progressing.

suppressing that

Suggests forcefully preventing something from manifesting.

nipping that in the bud

Idiomatic expression meaning to stop something at an early stage.

FAQs

How can I use "stopping that" in a sentence?

You can use "stopping that" to refer to preventing a specific action or event. For example: "The new policy is aimed at "stopping that" trade".

What are some alternatives to "stopping that"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "preventing that", "halting that", or "ceasing that".

Is it grammatically correct to say "stopping that"?

Yes, "stopping that" is grammatically correct. It functions as a gerund phrase, where "stopping" is a verb acting as a noun and "that" refers to a specific action or situation.

When is it best to use "stopping that" versus "preventing that"?

"Stopping that" is suitable when referring to interrupting an ongoing action, while "preventing that" is better for actions you want to avoid before they even begin.