to stall

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "to stall" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used as a verb meaning "to cause (a process) to stop temporarily" or "to delay an action or process." For example: "The CEO was concerned that the project was stalling due to a lack of resources."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Ramsay continued to stall.

The New Yorker

Alyokhina decided to stall.

The New York Times

Careful now not to stall.

The New Yorker

Iran continues to stall.

The New York Times

Otherwise the locomotive is likely to stall.

The Economist

Still, the case seemed to stall.

The New Yorker

The aircraft is then said to stall.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It is hard to stall.

The New York Times

The rebels have reason to stall.

The Guardian

"We're not going to stall," he vowed.

The New York Times

Iran's tactic is to stall and win with time.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to stall" in technical contexts (e.g., engine mechanics or computing), ensure the audience understands the specific technical meaning. If necessary, provide additional context or definition to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid confusing "to stall" (to delay or stop) with "to steal" (to take something dishonestly). Ensure your spelling and context clearly indicate the intended meaning to prevent misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to stall" primarily functions as an infinitive verb, often used to express the action of deliberately delaying or hindering a process. Examples from Ludwig show its application in contexts ranging from legal tactics to mechanical failures, reflecting its versatility. Ludwig AI confirms this grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to stall" is a versatile infinitive verb used to describe the act of delaying or hindering something, whether intentionally or unintentionally. Ludwig's analysis reveals that it's grammatically sound and frequently used across various contexts, especially in News & Media. When writing, be mindful of its specific technical meanings and avoid confusing it with similar-sounding words. As Ludwig AI confirms, understanding the nuances of "to stall" can enhance the precision and clarity of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to delay

Focuses specifically on postponing an event or action to a later time.

to postpone

Similar to "to delay", but often implies a more formal or definite rescheduling.

to hinder

Emphasizes the act of impeding or obstructing progress.

to obstruct

Suggests a more forceful blocking or impediment.

to impede

Similar to "to hinder", but often refers to slowing down progress.

to slow down

Indicates a reduction in speed or pace.

to hold back

Implies restraining or preventing someone or something from advancing.

to put off

Suggests avoiding or delaying something, often due to reluctance.

to defer

Indicates a formal postponement or yielding to another's opinion.

to protract

Emphasizes the extension of something in time, often unnecessarily.

FAQs

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

You can use "to stall" to describe delaying a process, like "The company used legal tactics "to stall" the lawsuit" or to describe an engine stopping unexpectedly, like "The old car is prone "to stall" in cold weather".

What's the difference between "to stall" and "to delay"?

"To stall" often implies an intention to obstruct or postpone something, sometimes deceptively, while "to delay" simply means to postpone to a later time.

Which is correct, "to stall" or "stalling"?

Both are correct, but they have different grammatical functions. "To stall" is the infinitive form, often used after auxiliary verbs (e.g., "He tried to stall"), while "stalling" is the gerund or present participle form (e.g., "Stalling is a common tactic").

What are some alternatives to the phrase "to stall"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "to delay", "to postpone", or "to obstruct".