was stopped by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was stopped by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something was prevented from continuing or moving forward by another person or thing. Example: "The car was stopped by a fallen tree in the road."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He was stopped by an immigration officer.

The New York Times - Books

"I was stopped by the color barrier".

The New York Times - Sports

This was stopped by the coalition government.

The Guardian

He was stopped by Border Patrol officers.

The New Yorker

Nabokov was stopped by his wife.

The New Yorker

The offender was stopped by Wednesday.

The New York Times

He was stopped by another soldier.

The New York Times

Trypsinization was stopped by adding full media.

Nanoscale Research Letters

The reaction was stopped by keeping the tubes in dark.

Botanical Studies

The staining reaction was stopped by adding 75% ethanol.

Rice

The reaction was stopped by the addition of DNS.

Bioresources and Bioprocessing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was stopped by" to clearly indicate the cause or agent that prevented an action or movement. This phrasing effectively communicates passive voice, emphasizing what or who did the stopping, rather than who was stopped.

Common error

Avoid using "was stopped by" when an active voice construction would be clearer and more direct. Ensure the sentence's emphasis is appropriately placed on the action being stopped and its cause, not obscured by unnecessary passivity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was stopped by" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that an action was imposed upon a subject by an external force. As Ludwig AI confirms, this structure is grammatically sound and commonly used to emphasize the recipient of the action rather than the actor. The examples provided show various contexts where this passive construction is appropriate.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

47%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was stopped by" is a versatile passive voice construction used to indicate that something or someone was prevented or hindered. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, primarily in science and news media. When using this phrase, ensure that the passive voice is the most effective way to convey the intended meaning and to emphasize the cause of the stoppage. Consider alternatives like "was prevented by" or "was halted by" to best fit the specific context and desired emphasis. The phrase’s common usage and diverse application make it a valuable tool in effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was prevented by

Emphasizes the act of preventing something from happening or someone from proceeding.

was halted by

Focuses on the sudden cessation or interruption of movement or progress.

was obstructed by

Highlights the presence of an obstacle that hinders progress.

was impeded by

Suggests a slowing down or hindering of progress due to some factor.

was blocked by

Implies a physical or metaphorical barrier preventing movement or progress.

was interrupted by

Focuses on a temporary disruption of an ongoing process or action.

was checked by

Indicates a sudden restraint or control imposed by something or someone.

was restrained by

Highlights the restriction of movement or action due to external force.

was suppressed by

Emphasizes the forceful prevention or inhibition of something.

was curtailed by

Suggests a reduction or limitation of something, often prematurely.

FAQs

How can I rephrase the sentence to avoid using "was stopped by"?

You can use active voice constructions. For example, instead of "The car was stopped by a tree", try "A tree stopped the car". You could also use phrases like "was prevented by", or "was halted by" depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to use "was stopped by" in formal writing?

Yes, the phrase "was stopped by" is grammatically correct and can be used in formal writing. However, ensure that the passive voice is appropriate for the context and that it clearly conveys the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "was stopped by" and "stopped by"?

"Was stopped by" is in the passive voice, indicating that something or someone received the action. "Stopped by" in the active voice means that something or someone performed the action. For example, "The progress was stopped by the rain" (passive) versus "The rain stopped the progress" (active).

When is it better to use "was stopped by" instead of an active voice construction?

Use "was stopped by" when you want to emphasize the object or event that caused the cessation of activity, or when the actor is unknown or less important than the action itself. For instance, "The project "was delayed by" unforeseen circumstances" focuses on the circumstances rather than who caused the delay.