this has to stop

USAGE SUMMARY

"this has to stop" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It conveys a sense of urgency and is often used to address a problematic or undesirable situation that needs to be ended. Example: "The continuous pollution of our oceans is devastating marine life. This has to stop before it's too late."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

This has to stop now.

Independent

"This has to stop," Rovell said.

The New York Times - Sports

Somehow, somewhere this has to stop".

The New York Times

This has to stop, and stop now.

The Guardian - Opinion

I just decided this has to stop".

The New York Times - Magazine

Dr. Kernberg said, "This has to stop".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

When my niece's father was sentenced to 136 years for triple murder, I knew this had to stop.

The Guardian

"It was clear to me that this had to stop.

BBC

This had to stop, he said, as change could be achieved within the existing structures.

BBC

But it was the death of Marc that finally made me realise this had to stop.

TechCrunch

I knew that this had to stop.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this has to stop" to express strong disapproval or the urgent need to end a harmful or undesirable situation. Be direct and clear about what needs to cease.

Common error

Avoid using "this has to stop" without clearly specifying what 'this' refers to. Ensure your audience understands the exact issue you're addressing to avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this has to stop" functions as a declarative statement expressing a strong demand or urgent need for a particular action or situation to cease. It is used to convey disapproval and to call for immediate change. Ludwig provides numerous examples in news and formal contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "this has to stop" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that conveys a sense of urgency and the necessity for something to end. Ludwig AI confirms its wide acceptance and appropriateness across various contexts, predominantly in news and media. Its directness makes it a powerful tool for expressing disapproval and instigating change. When using this phrase, clarity is key: always specify what 'this' refers to, as Ludwig's examples demonstrate. Alternatives such as "this needs to end" or "enough is enough" can be used to modulate the tone, but the core message remains consistent: a situation requires immediate cessation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this needs to end

Replaces 'has to stop' with 'needs to end', maintaining the sense of necessity but focusing on termination.

this must cease

Uses 'must cease' to emphasize obligation and finality in halting something.

this should be prevented

Shifts focus to proactive prevention rather than immediate cessation.

this has to cease immediately

Adds 'immediately' to underscore urgency.

this has got to give

Idiomatic expression suggesting something is unsustainable and must change.

we can't let this continue

Shifts the focus to the speaker and their unwillingness to allow something to persist.

this situation is untenable

Focuses on the insupportable nature of a situation, implying a need for change.

enough is enough

Expresses that a limit has been reached, and something unacceptable must end.

I won't stand for this anymore

Emphasizes personal refusal to tolerate a situation further.

the line has been crossed

Suggests a boundary has been violated, necessitating a halt to further actions.

FAQs

How can I use "this has to stop" in a sentence?

Use "this has to stop" to express the urgent need for something to end. For instance, "The spread of misinformation online has to stop".

What are some alternatives to "this has to stop"?

You can use alternatives like "this needs to end", "this must cease", or "enough is enough" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "this has to stop" or "this needs to stop"?

Both "this has to stop" and "this needs to stop" are grammatically correct and convey similar meanings. The choice depends on personal preference and the specific context. "This has to stop" can sound slightly more forceful.

What is the tone of "this has to stop"?

"This has to stop" has a firm and decisive tone, expressing a strong desire or demand for something to cease. It is often used in situations where the speaker feels a sense of urgency or frustration.