traffic stopped completely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "traffic stopped completely" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where vehicles are no longer moving at all, often due to an accident or road blockage. Example: "During the storm, traffic stopped completely on the highway, leaving many drivers stranded for hours."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Many years ago, on Jan . 23 , 2004to be precise, I was driving west on Sunset Boulevard when traffic stopped completely.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

On the one hand, the story is bizarrely positive: thanks to Ebola, criminal trafficking routes through the region have slowed and in some cases stopped completely.

HuffPost

Conversation stopped completely.

The New Yorker

And my car stopped completely.

University of California, Berkeley

By then the applause had stopped completely.

The New Yorker

Payouts stopped completely, and complaints began.

The New York Times

It's stopped completely.

Huffington Post

She stopped completely.

Vice

Thankfully, only one model stopped completely.

Critical Care

The Nepalese government has accused India of unofficially backing this protest by slowing or stopping completely traffic from crossing the border into Nepal.

BBC

Barge traffic stopped.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "traffic stopped completely", ensure the context clearly indicates the reason for the stoppage, such as an accident, road closure, or event, to provide a complete picture for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using additional adverbs that reiterate the completeness of the stop, such as "traffic stopped absolutely completely", as this can sound repetitive. Sticking to "traffic stopped completely" provides sufficient emphasis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "traffic stopped completely" functions as a declarative statement describing the state of vehicular movement. It indicates a full cessation of traffic, similar to examples Ludwig provides, illustrating its descriptive function.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "traffic stopped completely" is a grammatically correct and understandable expression used to describe a situation where vehicular movement has entirely ceased. Ludwig confirms its usability. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, serving to inform audiences about road conditions or incidents. While using "completely" adds emphasis, avoid further redundancy with similar adverbs. Alternatives include "traffic came to a complete standstill" or "traffic was completely halted". Keep in mind it's useful to clearly indicate the reason for the stop to enhance context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

traffic came to a complete standstill

Replaces "stopped" with "came to a standstill" for a more formal tone.

traffic was at a standstill

Uses a more concise structure to convey the same meaning.

traffic was completely halted

Substitutes "stopped" with "halted" for a slightly more forceful effect.

traffic ceased entirely

Employs "ceased" to indicate a more definitive and abrupt stop.

traffic ground to a halt

Uses the idiom "ground to a halt" for a more vivid description of the stopping process.

all traffic stopped

Adds "all" to emphasize that no vehicles were moving.

the road was completely blocked

Focuses on the cause of the stoppage, implying that something is obstructing the road.

traffic flow ceased

Replaces "stopped" with "flow ceased" to emphasize the disruption of movement.

vehicles were at a standstill

Uses "vehicles" instead of "traffic" for a more specific reference to the cars themselves.

there was a complete traffic stoppage

Transforms the phrase into a noun phrase, focusing on the event of stopping.

FAQs

What does "traffic stopped completely" mean?

The phrase "traffic stopped completely" means that all vehicles in a particular area have come to a halt and are not moving at all. This is often due to an obstruction, accident, or other event that prevents movement.

What can I say instead of "traffic stopped completely"?

You can use alternatives like "traffic came to a complete standstill", "traffic was at a standstill", or "traffic was completely halted" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "traffic stopped completely"?

While "stopped" inherently implies a complete cessation of movement, using "completely" can add emphasis to the situation. The phrase is generally acceptable and understandable, but be mindful of potential redundancy in very formal contexts.

How do I use "traffic stopped completely" in a sentence?

You can use "traffic stopped completely" to describe a situation where vehicles are no longer moving. For example: "Due to the accident, "traffic stopped completely" on the highway, causing significant delays."