to cease

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to cease" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating the action of stopping or bringing something to an end. Example: "The company decided to cease operations due to financial difficulties."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I told him to cease doing that.

The New Yorker

Adbusters asks shoppers to cease and desist.

The New York Times

"I've asked for those things to cease".

The New York Times

People want these activities to cease.

The Guardian

Company magazine is to cease print publication.

The Guardian

"These atrocities recurring have to cease immediately".

The Guardian

"I had to cease and desist".

The New York Times

"He tells the imam to cease activity.

The New York Times

The Palestinians were to cease fire and disarm their militias.

The Economist

The Mekdad family promised to cease its kidnapping spree.

The Economist

"Neither is going to cease being without a bloody cataclysm.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to cease" when a more formal or definitive tone is desired. It's often suitable in legal, official, or academic contexts. For example: "The company decided "to cease" operations."

Common error

While "to cease" is grammatically correct, avoid using it in casual conversation where simpler alternatives like "to stop" or "to end" would be more appropriate. Using overly formal language in informal settings can sound unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to cease" functions as an infinitive, often used as part of a verb phrase to indicate the intention or requirement to stop or terminate an action or process. Ludwig AI examples show its usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

8%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to cease" is a grammatically sound infinitive phrase signifying the termination or discontinuation of something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's most frequently encountered in news and media, encyclopedias, and wiki sources, implying a formal or neutral tone. While generally correct, it's best to avoid using it in very informal conversations where simpler alternatives may be better suited. Remember that while "to cease" simply means "to stop", "to desist" implies stopping something by order.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to stop

A more general and common way to express the end of an action or process.

to end

A simple and direct way to indicate the conclusion of something.

to discontinue

Indicates a formal termination or interruption of something.

to halt

Suggests a sudden or abrupt stop.

to desist

Implies a formal request or command to stop doing something.

to terminate

Implies a definitive and often official end.

to refrain from

Indicates deliberately abstaining from an action.

to give up

Suggests abandoning an effort or habit.

to abstain from

A more formal way to express refraining from something, often with a sense of principle or obligation.

to break off

Indicates a sudden and often forceful termination of something.

FAQs

How can I use "to cease" in a sentence?

The phrase "to cease" is used to indicate the ending or stopping of something. For example: "The company decided "to cease" all operations" or "The fighting needs "to stop"."

What's a less formal alternative to "to cease"?

Less formal alternatives include "to stop", "to end", or "to quit" depending on the context.

Is it ever incorrect to use "to cease"?

While grammatically correct, using "to cease" in very informal contexts might sound overly formal. In casual conversation, simpler alternatives are often preferred.

What is the difference between "to cease" and "to desist"?

"To cease" generally means to stop, while "to desist" implies stopping an action that someone has been ordered or requested to stop doing. "To desist" often carries a legal or formal connotation.