stops them from

USAGE SUMMARY

"stops them from" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is a common phrase used to indicate that something prevents someone from doing something else. Example: The new security measures put in place stops them from entering the building without proper identification. In this sentence, "stops them from" is used to show that the security measures act as a barrier preventing someone from entering the building without proper identification.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What stops them from achieving their ultimate goals in life?

The Guardian

That stops them from cutting down the Unesco-protected trees".

The Guardian

All too often social stigma stops them from seeking help.

The Guardian

Nobody stops them from getting their message across.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I don't think it stops them from pursuing further studies in the United States".

The New York Times

Children aren't fools: if a game actively stops them from playing, they'll play something else instead.

The Guardian - Tech

"But the lack of basketball courts stops them from growing to their potential.

The New York Times - Sports

Insecure renting stops them from putting down roots, but it is bad for society, too".

The Guardian - Business

"We think this is why the system is stable and what stops them from crashing into one another," said Hamilton.

The Guardian

"It [the bag charge] makes people think about what they're doing, and stops them from being lazy.

The Guardian

This works especially well on unstable chalk or pastel pictures as it stops them from getting smudged so easily.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "stops them from", ensure the subject and verb agree in number. For instance, use "stop them from" for plural subjects and "stops him/her from" for singular subjects.

Common error

Avoid using incorrect prepositions after "stops". The correct form is "stops them from doing something", not "stops them to do something" or "stops them in doing something".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stops them from" functions as a causative verb phrase. It indicates that something or someone prevents a group of people from performing a certain action. Ludwig AI validates this through numerous examples where the phrase acts to show impediment or hindrance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Huffington Post

8%

Vice

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "stops them from" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase widely used to indicate that something prevents a group of people from doing something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI and demonstrated across numerous examples, it functions as a causative verb phrase expressing prevention or obstruction. The phrase enjoys a neutral register, making it appropriate for a variety of communication contexts, especially in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings. Remember to use the correct preposition ("from") and ensure subject-verb agreement. Alternatives such as "prevents them from" and "prohibits them from" can provide a more formal tone when needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prevents them from

Replaces "stops" with "prevents", offering a more formal tone while retaining the core meaning of hindering an action.

hinders them from

Substitutes "stops" with "hinders", emphasizing the difficulty or obstacle imposed, slightly changing the nuance.

prohibits them from

Replaces "stops" with "prohibits", suggesting a formal or legal ban on an action.

impedes their ability to

Alters the structure to focus on ability rather than direct action prevention.

makes it impossible for them to

Emphasizes the complete blockage of an action, using a more descriptive and emphatic phrase.

curtails their capacity to

Uses more formal vocabulary and focuses on reducing capacity rather than completely stopping.

obstructs their path to

Metaphorically indicates blocking progress or achievement.

forestalls their chance of

Focuses on preventing an opportunity from arising.

discourages them from

Suggests a lessening of motivation rather than a direct prevention.

deters them from

Emphasizes discouraging an action through fear or apprehension.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "stops them from" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you can use phrases like "prevents them from", "prohibits them from", or "impedes their ability to" depending on the specific context.

What are common errors to avoid when using "stops them from"?

A common mistake is using incorrect prepositions. Always use "from" followed by a gerund (verb ending in -ing). Avoid constructions like "stops them to do" or "stops them in doing".

Is there a difference between "stops them from" and "prevents them from"?

While similar, "prevents them from" often implies a more deliberate or forceful action than "stops them from". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How to use "stops them from" correctly in a sentence?

Ensure the sentence structure is grammatically sound. For instance, "Lack of funding "stops them from" completing the project" is correct. The subject (lack of funding) performs the action of stopping, and "from" is followed by a gerund (completing).