was halted

USAGE SUMMARY

"was halted" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are indicating that something has been abruptly stopped. Example: The construction project was halted due to lack of funding.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The execution was halted.

The New Yorker

Aid was halted.

The Guardian

The presentation was halted.

The New York Times

Production was halted in November.

The Washington Post

Trading in the currency was halted yesterday.

Independent

Play was halted two batters later.

The New York Times

The potential sale was halted.

The New York Times

Privatisation was halted under Labour.

The Guardian - Opinion

The bloodbath was halted by Vietnamese invasion.

The New Yorker

Most advertising was halted in 2003.

The Economist

Construction was halted shortly after it began.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was halted" to clearly indicate that an action or process has been stopped, either temporarily or permanently. Be specific about the reason for the halt whenever possible to provide context.

Common error

Avoid using "was halted" when "was delayed" or "was postponed" is more appropriate. "Halted" suggests a more immediate and possibly forceful stop, while "delayed" or "postponed" implies a planned or expected pause.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was halted" functions as a passive verb construction, indicating that an action or process received the action of halting. As Ludwig AI indicates, it shows that something has been abruptly stopped, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was halted" is a grammatically correct and commonly used passive construction that indicates the abrupt cessation of an action or process. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for diverse contexts, ranging from news reports to scientific papers. Its neutral register makes it appropriate for both formal and informal communication. While "was stopped" serves as a direct synonym, nuanced alternatives like "was suspended" or "was terminated" may better capture the specific nature of the halt. Remember to use "was halted" to suggest an immediate, and potentially forceful, stop.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was stopped

Simple substitution of "halted" with a more common synonym.

was ceased

"Ceased" implies a more formal or definitive ending compared to "halted".

came to a halt

Active voice construction expressing the same meaning.

was suspended

"Suspended" suggests a temporary cessation, unlike "halted" which can be permanent.

was terminated

"Terminated" implies a more formal and final end, often used in official contexts.

was discontinued

"Discontinued" suggests ending a series or regular action.

was brought to a standstill

Emphasizes the complete cessation of movement or progress.

was put on hold

Implies a temporary interruption with the possibility of resumption.

was interrupted

Focuses on the act of being broken or disturbed mid-process.

was brought to an end

A more descriptive way to say something was stopped.

FAQs

How can I use "was halted" in a sentence?

Use "was halted" to indicate that an action or process has come to a stop. For example, "The construction project was halted due to unforeseen circumstances."

What's a synonym for "was halted"?

Synonyms include "was stopped", "was ceased", or "was suspended", each carrying slightly different connotations regarding the nature and duration of the stop.

Is it correct to say "was halt" instead of "was halted"?

No, "was halt" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrasing is "was halted", where "halted" is the past participle form of the verb "halt".

What is the difference between "was halted" and "was paused"?

"Was halted" often implies a more abrupt or indefinite stop, whereas "was paused" suggests a temporary stop with the expectation of continuing. For instance, a game might be paused, while production might be halted.