suspend proceedings

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "suspend proceedings" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it in legal contexts when referring to pausing or halting a legal process or action. Example: The judge decided to suspend proceedings until further evidence could be presented. Alternative expressions include "pause proceedings" and "adjourn proceedings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Other courts must suspend proceedings if they find a statute unconstitutional and must submit the question of constitutionality to the Federal Constitutional Court.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Falconer used an obscure law to suspend proceedings, and in a very unusual – perhaps unique – move he replaced the inquest with a non-statutory public inquiry.

Independent

Judge Rob Bare of Clark County District Court will suspend proceedings in a lawsuit seeking millions of dollars in back pay, pending an arbitration ruling.

The New York Times - Sports

Peter Robinson, the Democratic Unionist party (DUP) leader, said if other parties in the assembly did not back the suspension move in a vote on Thursday – or if Westminster did not act to suspend proceedings in the absence of that vote – then he and fellow ministers would quit.

The Guardian

The UN Security Council is authorized not only to refer cases to the court but also to ask its prosecutor to suspend proceedings.

SEP

Called "Project Lifeline," and assembled by six of the nation's largest financial institutions, which service almost half of the country's mortgages, the program allows qualified homeowners to suspend proceedings for 30 days while providing them with rewriting and refinancing assistance.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Then on May 22nd they suspended proceedings and agreed to talk.

The Economist

The court suspended proceedings in the case, pending issuance of the rule published Friday.

The New York Times - Health

Initially, the only catcalls came from the Kop end when a feline tortoiseshell presence on the pitch temporarily suspended proceedings.

Independent

When lawyers express doubts about their clients' competency, the court suspends proceedings while the minors are evaluated.

The New York Times

They suspended proceedings for a third time a week ago, when Mr. Milosevic's already high blood pressure rose sharply.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always include the plural 'proceedings' to refer to the legal or administrative course of action as a whole.

Common error

Do not use "suspend proceedings" if the action is intended to be final. Suspension implies the possibility of resumption. If the case is closed forever, use "terminate proceedings" or "dismiss the case" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "suspend proceedings" functions as a transitive verb phrase where 'suspend' acts as the action and 'proceedings' as the direct object. According to Ludwig AI, it is primarily used to describe the official act of halting a judicial or administrative process. The use of the plural noun 'proceedings' is critical as it denotes the entire sequence of legal steps being taken.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "suspend proceedings" is a highly accurate and standard English expression used to describe the temporary halting of formal processes. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent presence in prestigious publications such as The New York Times and The Guardian, particularly in the context of legal trials, deportation cases and parliamentary sessions. Unlike more final terms, this phrase implies that the process may resume once a specific condition is met or a delay is resolved. When writing, ensure you use the plural form 'proceedings' and reserve the phrase for formal or professional environments to maintain the correct register. While "adjourn proceedings" is a common synonym, "suspend proceedings" offers a broader application for any type of formal pause.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stay proceedings

Uses a specific legal term often referring to a court-ordered temporary suspension of a judicial process

adjourn proceedings

Specifically refers to ending a session or meeting with the intent to resume it at a future time

halt proceedings

Carries a more sudden and emphatic tone of stopping an ongoing process

pause proceedings

A more neutral and less formal way to indicate a temporary break

put proceedings on hold

An idiomatic expression suitable for less formal business or administrative contexts

freeze proceedings

Suggests an immediate administrative or legal stop, often to maintain the status quo

interrupt proceedings

Implies the process was broken into by an outside force or a temporary disturbance

discontinue proceedings

Often suggests a voluntary decision to stop the process permanently or for an extended period

terminate proceedings

Indicates a permanent and final end to the process rather than a temporary suspension

stop proceedings

A blunt and simple alternative that lacks the formal nuance of suspension

FAQs

How to use "suspend proceedings" in a sentence?

You can use it in formal contexts such as: "The judge decided to "suspend proceedings" until new evidence could be examined by the defense."

What can I say instead of "suspend proceedings"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "stay proceedings", "adjourn proceedings" or "halt proceedings".

Which is correct, "suspend proceedings" or "suspend a proceeding"?

While both are grammatically possible, "suspend proceedings" is the standard idiomatic expression in legal and news contexts to refer to the collective actions of a case.

What is the difference between "suspend proceedings" and "adjourn proceedings"?

To "suspend proceedings" means to pause them for an indefinite or specific duration, whereas "adjourn proceedings" specifically means to close a session for the day or until a scheduled future date.