this must stop

USAGE SUMMARY

"this must stop" is a perfectly correct and usable sentence in written English.
You can use it whenever you want to express that something should come to an end. For example: "Employees are wasting too much time on their phones during office hours - this must stop".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

This must stop now.

The Guardian

"This must stop," Ricksen said afterwards.

The Guardian - Sport

This must stop, he told his colleagues.

The Guardian

Only then the Allies cried out loud: "This must stop!

The Economist

This must stop so we can live and do business".

The Guardian

This must stop, Shell must be held to account.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

This is a scandal, and this scandal must stop.

EU Parlament

This is a false representation [of Blacktown] and this program must stop".

The Guardian

This violence must stop.

The New York Times

This conduct must stop immediately".

The New York Times

This madness must stop".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this must stop" when you want to express a firm demand or strong need for something to cease immediately. It's suitable in both formal and informal contexts where directness is valued.

Common error

While versatile, avoid using "this must stop" excessively in extremely formal documents like legal contracts or academic papers. Opt for more nuanced or sophisticated language like 'this practice should be discontinued' to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this must stop" functions as an imperative statement, directly expressing the need for something to cease. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It asserts a strong demand or urgent request for termination.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Formal & Business

21%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Science

14%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "this must stop" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express a strong demand for something to cease. Ludwig AI highlights its broad usability across various contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media, it carries a neutral to slightly informal tone, making it suitable for diverse communicative purposes. While direct and assertive, it's advisable to consider more nuanced alternatives for highly formal settings. Alternatives include "this has to cease" and "this needs to end". The phrase's widespread usage, as evidenced by its frequent appearance in authoritative sources like The Guardian and The New York Times, underscores its relevance in contemporary English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this has to cease

Uses 'has to' instead of 'must', implying a similar level of obligation or necessity.

this needs to end

Replaces 'must stop' with 'needs to end', focusing on the requirement for termination.

this should be halted

Substitutes 'must stop' with a more formal 'should be halted', suggesting recommendation and obligation.

it's imperative that this ends

Highlights the urgency and critical importance of something ending.

this cannot continue

Emphasizes the impossibility of something proceeding, rather than just the need for it to stop.

we must put an end to this

Shifts the focus to the actor ('we') and their responsibility to stop something.

this is unacceptable and must be addressed

Adds a layer of condemnation to the need for stopping something and stresses that it must be handled.

an end must be put to this

Passive version with a more formal tone compared to the original phrase.

this requires immediate cessation

Replaces 'must stop' with 'requires immediate cessation', increasing the formality and sense of urgency.

this situation has to change

Indicates a need for transformation instead of stopping something specifically. Broader meaning but maintains the sense of urgency.

FAQs

How can I use "this must stop" in a sentence?

You can use "this must stop" to express a firm conviction that something needs to end. For example, "The constant interruptions during meetings – this must stop."

What are some alternatives to saying "this must stop"?

You can use alternatives such as "this has to cease", "this needs to end", or "this should be halted" depending on the level of formality required.

Is "this must stop" appropriate for formal writing?

While generally acceptable, "this must stop" might sound too direct for very formal writing. In such cases, consider using phrases like "it is imperative that this ends" or "an end must be put to this".

What does it mean when someone says "this must stop"?

When someone says "this must stop", they are typically expressing a strong desire or command that a particular action, behavior, or situation should end immediately. It often implies a sense of urgency or frustration.