suspend

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "suspend" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to temporarily stopping or halting an action, process, or activity. Example: "The committee decided to suspend the meeting until further notice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Northern Ireland secretary John Reid has until Saturday night to find a compromise between Sinn Fein and David Trimble's Ulster Unionists on decommissioning, police reform and demilitarisation, or again suspend the assembly (either indefinitely or for six weeks) or call fresh elections.

The Guardian

A group of Indigenous leaders and elders has branded as racist the South Australian government's decision to suspend the executive board of traditional landowners and appoint an administrator.

The Guardian

Asked if Farah, the Olympic 5,000m and 10,000m champion, should suspend his relationship pending further investigation, Coe, also a double Olympic champion, said: "That's for Mo to decide.

The Guardian - Sport

The duo were forced to suspend their set three times, pleading with the crowd to simmer down.

The Guardian - Music

Syrian state TV announced the army's intention to suspend military operations on Thursday night.

The Guardian

The Mill doesn't expect you to believe everything you read in the papers, or indeed in the Mill, so we ask you to willingly suspend your disbelief for this plot twist: Tom Cleverley is a man in demand, as Aston Villa AND Everton want him when he becomes a free agent this summer.

The Guardian - Sport

Last year, the Palestinians agreed to suspend a campaign for unilateral recognition at the UN bodies in exchange for Israel's release of 104 prisoners who had been jailed before the Oslo peace process.

The Guardian

Wikipedia's arbitration committee has begun a review, but it will not re-examine the conclusion reached by the administrators to suspend the Contribsx account on the basis that it was linked to Grant Shapps.

The Guardian

GNM may suspend and/or terminate provision of all or part of the Services if the Client is in arrears with the payment of Fees at any time and the Client's Contact Person has been given 7 days written notice prior to suspension and/or termination.

The Guardian

The authority can cancel or suspend its broadcasting licence, impose additional licence conditions or refer of the matter to the director of public prosecutions.

The Guardian

Iran says its nuclear programme is not for military purposes, and refuses to comply with UN security council resolutions calling on Tehran to suspend the enrichment of uranium.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "suspend", ensure the context clearly indicates the duration or conditions for the suspension. For example, specify whether it's indefinite, temporary, or conditional on certain events.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by explicitly stating the length or conditions for ending a suspension. Failing to do so can lead to confusion about when the activity will resume.

Linguistic Context

The word "suspend" primarily functions as a verb, indicating the act of temporarily stopping or interrupting an activity, process, or right. Ludwig provides examples where "suspend" is used in contexts ranging from halting meetings to debarring individuals. The examples are consistent with Ludwig AI analysis which indicates a verb usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "suspend" is a versatile verb used to indicate the temporary cessation or interruption of an action, process, or right. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts. It's commonly found in news and media, formal business communications, and scientific writing. When using "suspend", clarity is key; explicitly stating the duration or conditions for the suspension helps prevent ambiguity. Alternatives include "temporarily halt", "put on hold", and "defer temporarily", each with slightly different nuances. By understanding its function, purpose, and common usage patterns, writers can effectively employ "suspend" to convey temporary interruptions with precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

temporarily halt

Replaces "suspend" with a more descriptive verb phrase, emphasizing the temporary nature of the action.

interrupt temporarily

Focuses on the act of interruption for a limited time.

put on hold

An idiomatic expression suggesting a pause or delay.

defer temporarily

Indicates postponing something to a later time.

adjourn temporarily

Suggests a formal or official pause, often in meetings or legal contexts.

cease temporarily

Emphasizes stopping for a limited period.

discontinue temporarily

Highlights the temporary cessation of an activity or service.

shelve temporarily

Implies putting something aside for future consideration or action.

stay temporarily

Indicates a temporary halting of a process, typically within a legal framework.

hold in abeyance

A formal term suggesting a state of temporary inactivity or suspension.

FAQs

How to use "suspend" in a sentence?

You can use "suspend" to indicate a temporary halt to something, as in, "The meeting was suspended for lunch," or to debar someone temporarily, such as, "The student was suspended from college."

What can I say instead of "suspend"?

Alternatives to "suspend" include "temporarily halt", "put on hold", or "defer temporarily", depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "suspend" or "cancel"?

"Suspend" implies a temporary interruption with the intention of resuming later, while "cancel" means to terminate something permanently. Therefore, choose the word that accurately reflects the intent.

What's the difference between "suspend" and "postpone"?

"Suspend" suggests a temporary cessation, often due to unforeseen circumstances, whereas "postpone" implies rescheduling an event to a later time. The nuance lies in whether there's a clear expectation of when the activity will resume.