that were stopped

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that were stopped" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe actions or events that have been halted in the past. Example: "The cars that were stopped at the red light began to move as soon as it turned green."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

Calum MacLean says that projects at Grangemouth that were stopped this week will now recommence.

The Guardian - Business

"It takes time, minutes, to get trains that were stopped during a peak time back moving again," Ms. Farley said.

The New York Times

The floodwaters had created a gridlock of trucks and cars that were stopped at the water's edge.

The New York Times

We passed Liberation trucks that were stopped dead on the road; their fuel lines had frozen, probably because of water in their tanks.

The New Yorker

Mark Parrish, who drew a penalty that led to the first power play, took two shots at Florida goaltender Roberto Luongo that were stopped.

The New York Times - Sports

The study was one of three that were stopped before their scheduled completion when statistical analyses showed important benefits for circumcision.

The New York Times - Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

Trials that are stopped early because of important interim results require fewer patients.

British Medical Journal

"One thing that was stopping me was what happened.

The New York Times - Sports

The only thing that is stopping them is the price.

The Guardian - Business

"There is already a system that is stopping any abuse.

The Guardian

What are some of the excuses, fears, and obstacles that are stopping you from doing that?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "that were stopped", ensure that the noun it modifies is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, "the trains that were stopped" is clearer than just "things that were stopped".

Common error

Avoid using "that were stopped" to refer to a singular subject. It should only be used with plural nouns or collective nouns acting in a plural sense. For example, instead of "the project that were stopped", use "the project that was stopped".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that were stopped" functions as a relative clause modifying a noun phrase. According to Ludwig, this construction is grammatically sound. It indicates that the noun being modified underwent an action of being halted or ceased by an external force or circumstance.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

32%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that were stopped" is a grammatically correct relative clause frequently used across diverse contexts, primarily in News & Media and Scientific domains. As Ludwig AI confirms, its function is to add clarifying information about a noun phrase. While its formality is generally neutral, mindful application is key to ensuring clear, unambiguous communication. Pay attention to source authority and apply related phrases strategically.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that had been halted

Replaces the verb "stopped" with "halted", emphasizing a more formal or abrupt cessation.

which were halted

Uses "which" instead of "that" to introduce the relative clause and "halted" instead of "stopped".

that were interrupted

Substitutes "stopped" with "interrupted", suggesting a temporary cessation.

that were ceased

Replaces "stopped" with "ceased", conveying a more definitive and complete termination.

that had been ceased

Uses the past perfect passive voice with "ceased" to emphasize a completed action of stopping.

that got discontinued

Replaces the construction "were stopped" with the phrasal verb "got discontinued", implying an official ending.

that were suspended

Substitutes "stopped" with "suspended", suggesting a temporary removal or cessation.

that were terminated

Replaces "stopped" with "terminated", indicating a formal or official end.

which had been suspended

Combines "which" and "suspended" to modify the phrase.

that were paused

Replaces "stopped" with "paused", implying a temporary halt with the possibility of resumption.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "that were stopped" to sound more formal?

To sound more formal, you can replace "that were stopped" with phrases like "that had been halted", "that were terminated", or "that were ceased", depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "that were stopped" and "that stopped"?

"That were stopped" implies a passive action, meaning something or someone caused the stopping. "That stopped" implies an active action, meaning the subject itself did the stopping. For example, "the cars that were stopped by the police" versus "the car that stopped suddenly".

Is it correct to use "which were stopped" instead of "that were stopped"?

Yes, "which were stopped" is grammatically correct and often interchangeable with "that were stopped". However, "that" is typically used for restrictive clauses (essential to the sentence's meaning), while "which" is used for non-restrictive clauses (adding extra information). For example: "The trains that were stopped at the border were delayed" vs "The trains, which were stopped for inspection, were delayed".

What are some common nouns that are used with the phrase "that were stopped"?

Common nouns used with "that were stopped" include "projects", "trains", "cars", "studies", and "trials", as shown in the examples provided by Ludwig.