stopping to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "stopping to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate a pause or interruption in an action to do something else. Example: "She was running late but decided to stop to grab a coffee on her way."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Arts

Travel

Sports

Food

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And staff are stopping to listen.

The Guardian

Or stopping to pose after 500m.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He kept stopping to tune his guitar.

The Guardian - Music

"Nobody is stopping to pick anybody up.

The New York Times

People kept stopping to admire it.

The New York Times - Style

Some are stopping to loot abandoned shops.

The Guardian

Thirsty, hungry, seldom stopping to rest".

The New York Times

Passers-by loved it, stopping to admire her handiwork.

The New York Times

Here are cabs stopping to let out real housewives.

The New York Times - Food

He paced his work by stopping to sharpen his pencil.

The Guardian - Music

Both stores have locals stopping to take them in.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using "stopping to" when you want to emphasize a change of pace or focus in a narrative or description.

Common error

Avoid overuse of "stopping to" in close succession, as it can make the writing feel repetitive. Vary your sentence structure by using alternatives like "pausing to" or restructuring the sentence to imply the interruption.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stopping to" functions as a gerund phrase, often used to describe an interruption in an action for a specific purpose. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically correct and widely used. It connects two actions, indicating a sequence where one is paused for the other.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Lifestyle

20%

Travel

10%

Less common in

Science

8%

Wiki

7%

Arts

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "stopping to" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to describe an interruption in one action to perform another. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is correct and widespread across various contexts, particularly in news, media, and lifestyle writing. While common, varying your sentence structure and using alternatives can prevent redundancy. Understanding its function and purpose, as well as avoiding overuse, will enhance your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pausing to

Replaces "stopping" with "pausing", emphasizing a brief halt in an action.

taking a break to

Highlights the act of interrupting activity in order to do something else.

halting to

Uses "halting" instead of "stopping", indicating a more abrupt pause.

breaking off to

Suggests a more forceful interruption to engage in another activity.

interrupting to

Emphasizes the interruption aspect of the action.

desisting to

Indicates ceasing one action specifically to perform another.

ceasing to

Implies a temporary cessation to do something else.

suspending to

Suggests a temporary suspension of an activity for a specific reason.

discontinuing to

Similar to ceasing but may imply a longer pause.

taking time out to

Emphasizes allocating specific time for an activity by pausing another.

FAQs

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

You can use "stopping to" to describe someone interrupting an activity to do something else. For example, "She was running late but ended up "stopping to" grab a coffee on the way".

What are some alternatives to "stopping to"?

Alternatives to "stopping to" include phrases like "pausing to", "taking a break to", or "halting to", each carrying a slightly different nuance.

Is it ever incorrect to use "stopping to"?

While grammatically correct, overuse of "stopping to" can lead to redundancy. Ensure that the phrase adds value to the sentence and isn't simply a filler. Consider alternative phrasing for better flow.

What's the difference between "stopping to" and "stopping for"?

"Stopping to" implies an interruption to perform an action (e.g., "stopping to eat"), while "stopping for" suggests a reason or purpose for the stop (e.g., "stopping for gas"). The preposition changes the context significantly.