they were stopped

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence 'they were stopped' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this sentence when expressing that an action or activity was halted or ended. For example: The children were playing in the street until the police arrived and stopped them.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Thank goodness they were stopped.

Independent

They were stopped for speeding, then released.

The Economist

But at El Galaa Bridge, they were stopped.

The New Yorker

They were stopped in Singapore and deported back to Indonesia.

The Guardian

They were stopped by the police and turned back.

The New Yorker

They were stopped at a checkpoint blocking a road.

The Guardian

They were stopped a lot, making progress slow.

The New Yorker

They were stopped by several Afghan Army soldiers outside the entrance to Emergency.

The New York Times - Magazine

But minutes after their departure, they were stopped by the traffic police.

The New York Times

"They tried to flee and they were stopped," the official said of the militants.

The New York Times

They were stopped by a combined Estonian-Latvian force near Cēsis (Wenden).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they were stopped", ensure the context clearly indicates who "they" refers to and what force or circumstance caused them to stop.

Common error

Avoid using "they were stopped" if the subject is ambiguous or not clearly defined in the preceding text. Always ensure the reader knows who "they" refers to.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were stopped" functions as a passive construction, where the subject (they) receives the action (being stopped). As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were stopped" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction, as verified by Ludwig AI. It primarily functions to report the halting of a group's progress due to external factors. The phrase is versatile and commonly found in neutral to professional contexts, particularly in news media and encyclopedic entries. Remember to ensure the subject "they" is clearly defined and that the context appropriately reflects an external cause for the stopping action. Consider using alternatives like "they halted" or "their progress was impeded" for nuanced variations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they halted

Uses a simpler verb to indicate stopping, focusing on the action itself.

they came to a standstill

Emphasizes the complete cessation of movement.

their progress was impeded

Focuses on the obstruction of their forward movement.

they were intercepted

Suggests being stopped by an external force or agency.

they were detained

Implies being stopped and held, usually by authorities.

they were checked

Highlights being stopped for inspection or verification.

they were obstructed

Focuses on the act of being blocked or hindered.

they met resistance

Suggests encountering opposition that halted their advance.

their advance was thwarted

Emphasizes the prevention of their intended progress.

they were brought to a halt

Uses more formal language to convey the action of stopping.

FAQs

How can I use "they were stopped" in a sentence?

Use "they were stopped" to indicate that a group's progress or action was halted. For example, "They were stopped by the police before they could reach the protest site."

What are some alternatives to saying "they were stopped"?

Alternatives include "they halted", "they came to a standstill", or "their progress was impeded", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use active or passive voice when describing someone being stopped?

Whether to use active or passive voice depends on the context. "The police stopped them" (active) emphasizes the actor, while "they were stopped by the police" (passive) emphasizes the recipients of the action.

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

"They stopped" indicates a voluntary action, whereas "they were stopped" implies an external force or circumstance caused them to halt their action. For example, "They stopped to rest" vs. "They were stopped by a roadblock".