stopping to make

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "stopping to make" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to pausing an activity in order to create or produce something. Example: "She was so focused on her work that she didn't think about stopping to make a cup of coffee."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

In one experiment, readers breezed past intentionally botched sentences without stopping to make sense of the gibberish.

The New Yorker

"The sun made the day sharp and promising, as if they might drive forever, only stopping to make love and eat.

The New York Times - Books

Had he seen that promotion on television for the Daytona 500 in which Dale Earnhardt Jr. drives a Zamboni on a rink, stopping to make a pit stop?

The New York Times - Sports

And pace he does, barefoot, speaking expressively, using his hands as he walks back and forth across a large window, sometimes stopping to make eye contact.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Ahn, in a Rochas pouf skirt, walked quickly from one end of the narrow room to the other, taking reservations on a cordless phone and stopping to make conversation.

The New Yorker

Low points for us include me being struck down by poisoning and Paul having to drive me from the Lake District to London, stopping to make a crucial work call while I was being sick in a layby.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

But then he stopped to make one embrace.

The New York Times - Sports

Occasionally he would stop to make a phone call.

The New York Times

She had stopped to make a call on her cellphone when he and a friend passed.

The New York Times - Style

That afternoon, we drifted over the Monterey Canyon, and stopped to make our first probe.

The New Yorker

Before we play, though, he stops to make sure he has registered his key information.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "stopping to make", ensure that the pause is directly related to the action of creating or producing something. This clearly communicates the purpose of the interruption.

Common error

Avoid using "stopping to make" when the pause is unrelated to creation. For example, saying "He was stopping to make a phone call" is grammatically correct but can be misleading if the phone call doesn't involve creating anything. In such instances, simply use "stopping to call".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stopping to make" functions as a gerund phrase, where "stopping" is a gerund acting as a noun, and "to make" is an infinitive phrase modifying the gerund. It typically describes the act of pausing an activity to engage in creating or producing something. Ludwig confirms this usage through various examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Wiki

24%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "stopping to make" is a grammatically sound gerund phrase used to describe the action of pausing an activity to create or produce something. Ludwig AI confirms that it appears most frequently in News & Media, Wiki, and Science contexts. The phrase maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for various writing styles. While correct, it's essential to ensure the context aligns with the act of creation to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "pausing to create" or "halting to produce" to enhance clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pausing to create

Replaces the verb "stopping" with "pausing" while retaining the core meaning of a temporary halt for creation.

halting to produce

Uses "halting" instead of "stopping" and "produce" instead of "make", offering a slightly more formal tone.

taking a break to craft

Suggests a more intentional and leisurely pause for creation, implied in the word "craft".

interrupting to build

Emphasizes the interruption aspect and replaces "make" with "build", implying a more substantial creation.

ceasing to construct

Presents a more formal alternative using "ceasing" and "construct", suitable for technical or academic contexts.

breaking to assemble

Implies a brief pause and replaces "make" with "assemble", suggesting a process of putting parts together.

pausing to manufacture

"Manufacturing" implies producing something on a larger scale.

interrupting the flow to generate

Focuses on the disruption of a process and replaces "make" with "generate", implying the creation of something new or innovative.

taking a hiatus to develop

Suggests a temporary suspension for the purpose of making something more complete and advanced.

suspending activity to originate

Highlights the suspension of normal activity and the creation of something entirely new.

FAQs

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

Use "stopping to make" when you want to describe the act of pausing an activity in order to create something. For instance, "She was so focused on her work that she didn't think about stopping to make a cup of coffee."

What are some alternatives to "stopping to make"?

You can use alternatives like "pausing to create", "halting to produce", or "taking a break to craft" depending on the context.

Is "stopping to make" formal or informal?

"Stopping to make" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, the surrounding vocabulary may influence the overall formality.

What's the difference between "stopping to make" and "stopping to do"?

"Stopping to make" implies a pause for creative or productive purposes, whereas "stopping to do" is more general and can refer to any action. For instance, "stopping to make" dinner versus "stopping to do" errands.