to halt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to halt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to stopping or bringing something to a stop, often in a formal or literary context. Example: "The government decided to halt all construction projects until further notice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Violent groups are trying to halt progress.

The Economist

The government appeared powerless to halt them.

The New York Times

"We had to halt the game".

The New York Times - Sports

Want to halt aging?

The New York Times

Neither has pledged to halt their fighting.

The Guardian

The party wants to halt it.

The New York Times

Juventus did nothing to halt Dominello's rise.

The Guardian

That could be enough to halt America's fragile recovery.

The Economist

Would he repeal Mr. Obama's decision to halt their deportations?

The New York Times

The government quickly rescinded the decision to halt the protests.

The New York Times

"We do not want to halt progress," the governor said.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to halt" when you want to convey a more formal or decisive stop, especially in contexts involving processes or progress.

Common error

Avoid using "to halt" in casual conversations or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "to stop" or "to end" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to halt" functions as an infinitive verb phrase, typically used in conjunction with another verb to express purpose or intention. Ludwig AI shows that it's often used in formal contexts to describe the action of stopping or ceasing something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to halt" is a grammatically sound and frequently used infinitive verb phrase that conveys the intention of stopping or ceasing an action or process. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is versatile and can be adapted to various contexts. The usage is particularly frequent in news and media sources, suggesting a neutral to slightly formal register. While interchangeable with alternatives like "to stop" or "to cease", it's best suited for situations where a deliberate or official cessation is emphasized. When considering the appropriateness of "to halt", remember to prioritize usage in formal writing over casual conversation, ensuring a more professional and impactful message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to cease

Focuses on bringing something to an end, often gradually.

to discontinue

Emphasizes the interruption of an ongoing process or activity.

to terminate

Suggests a complete and definitive end to something.

to suspend

Indicates a temporary cessation, with the possibility of resumption.

to arrest

Highlights the abrupt or forceful stopping of something.

to curb

Implies a restriction or limitation, potentially leading to a halt.

to impede

Focuses on hindering progress, possibly causing a stop.

to obstruct

Suggests blocking or hindering, which may lead to a halt.

to check

Emphasizes controlling or restraining, potentially preventing further progress.

to stall

Indicates a temporary delay or pause, potentially leading to a complete halt.

FAQs

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

You can use "to halt" to describe the act of stopping something, such as "The company decided "to halt" production due to unforeseen circumstances".

What are some alternatives to "to halt"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "to stop", "to cease", or "to discontinue".

When is it appropriate to use "to halt" instead of "to stop"?

"To halt" is generally more formal than "to stop". Use "to halt" in formal writing or when emphasizing a deliberate or official cessation. /s/to+stop

Is "to halt" interchangeable with "to pause"?

While both involve stopping, "to halt" implies a more complete or indefinite stop, whereas "to pause" suggests a temporary interruption. Choose "to pause" when the action is expected to resume.