this must be stopped

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this must be stopped" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing urgency or necessity to halt an action or situation that is deemed harmful or undesirable. Example: "The ongoing pollution in our rivers is a serious issue; this must be stopped immediately."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

This must be stopped".

The New York Times

"This must be stopped in its tracks.

The Guardian

This must be stopped and it must be stopped now," said Trump.

The Guardian

"This must be stopped... there is no reason for Israelis to pay such a dear price," he said.

The Guardian

They often end with a call to arms: "something must be done about this", they say, or "this must be stopped".

The Guardian - Opinion

I think the real problem starts with the hysterical discourse, of the kind that says, 'This must be stopped at any cost.' From there, the path to the horrors we've seen over the last few days, in Rafah, is a short one.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

This musical must be stopped.

The New Yorker

We have to act quickly …  This massacre must be stopped".

The Guardian

"This melody must be stopped," she wrote on her Hebrew Facebook page, according to Haaretz.

The Guardian - Music

"This decision must be stopped," said Silje Ask Lundberg, chair of Friends of the Earth Norway.

The Guardian

Burnham said this deterioration must be stopped, as it was putting lives at risk and threatened to undo all of the progress on cancer in the past decade.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this must be stopped" when you want to express a strong need to prevent or end a negative situation. Be specific about what "this" refers to for clarity. For instance: "This misinformation campaign must be stopped."

Common error

While effective, "this must be stopped" can sound overly dramatic in casual conversation. Consider alternatives like "we need to address this" or "let's fix this" for less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this must be stopped" functions as an imperative, expressing a strong need to cease or prevent a specific action or situation. Ludwig's examples showcase its use across various contexts to call for immediate intervention.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Formal & Business

23%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Science

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "this must be stopped" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that conveys a strong imperative to halt or prevent something undesirable. According to Ludwig, the phrase is commonly found in news, formal business settings and wiki sources, showing a neutral to formal register. Though powerful, it's essential to consider context to avoid sounding overly dramatic in casual settings. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness and usability of the expression, suggesting alternatives like "this needs to end" for different levels of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this needs to be prevented

Emphasizes proactive prevention rather than just stopping something already in progress.

this has to be halted

Uses "halted" to suggest a more abrupt or forceful stop.

this requires immediate cessation

More formal and emphasizes the urgency of stopping the action.

this demands to be discontinued

Similar to cessation, but with a stronger implication of a planned or ongoing activity.

this should be suppressed

Suggests actively keeping something down or preventing it from emerging.

this warrants termination

Formal, suggesting a definitive end to something, often an agreement or process.

this calls for an end

Emphasizes a demand or need for something to finish.

this is unacceptable and needs to cease

Adds a judgment of "unacceptable" to strengthen the call for stopping something.

a stop must be put to this

Inverts the sentence structure while maintaining the core meaning.

this situation must not continue

Focuses on the continuation of a situation rather than a specific action.

FAQs

How can I use "this must be stopped" in a sentence?

Use "this must be stopped" to express the urgency of preventing or ending a harmful situation. For example, "The spread of misinformation online "must be stopped" to protect public health."

What are some alternatives to saying "this must be stopped"?

Alternatives include "this needs to end", "this cannot continue", or "this requires immediate action". The best choice depends on the specific context and level of formality. You could also say "this needs to be prevented".

Is "this must be stopped" too strong for everyday conversation?

While grammatically correct, "this must be stopped" can sound intense. In casual settings, consider softer phrases like "we should address this" or "let's fix this".

What's the difference between "this must be stopped" and "this should be stopped"?

"This must be stopped" indicates a higher degree of urgency and necessity. "This should be stopped" suggests a recommendation or suggestion, but not necessarily an immediate requirement. The first one is a stronger imperative, and the second one is a suggestion. You could also try "this ought to be stopped".