we stopped

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we stopped" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a group of people ceased an action or activity. Example: "After a long day of hiking, we stopped to rest by the river."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We stopped.

The New Yorker

We stopped the truck.

The New Yorker

We stopped to rest.

The New York Times - Travel

We stopped brunch.

The New Yorker

We stopped cheating.

The New York Times

Then we stopped moving.

The New York Times - Magazine

We stopped to talk.

The New York Times - Travel

"We stopped selling those.

The New York Times

Then we stopped.

The New Yorker

We stopped doing it".

The New York Times - Sports

We stopped fibrosis research.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we stopped" to clearly indicate the cessation of an action, ensuring the context provides clarity on why and for how long the action was halted. Be mindful of whether a temporary pause or a permanent end is intended.

Common error

Avoid using "we stopped" when a temporary pause is meant to be indefinite. Using phrases like "we paused indefinitely" provides better clarity when a stop may or may not be temporary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we stopped" functions as a declarative statement indicating the cessation of an action or state. Ludwig shows examples where this phrase is used to describe pausing an activity or terminating a process.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we stopped" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate the cessation of an action or activity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Academic settings. The phrase is versatile, but careful attention should be paid to the intended meaning—whether a temporary pause or a permanent end is being described. Alternatives such as "we paused", "we halted", and "we ceased" can provide more nuanced meanings depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we paused

Indicates a temporary halt, suggesting a continuation later.

we halted

Implies a more abrupt or forceful stop.

we ceased

Suggests a complete and permanent end to an activity.

we discontinued

Formally indicates that something has been stopped and will not be resumed.

we terminated

Implies an official or formal ending of something.

we desisted

Suggests a voluntary stopping, often to avoid something negative.

we broke off

Indicates an abrupt ending, often in a relationship or negotiation.

we gave up

Implies admitting defeat or inability to continue.

we quit

Informally indicates stopping, often in a job or activity.

we put an end to

Emphasizes the act of actively stopping something from continuing.

FAQs

How can I use "we stopped" in a sentence?

"We stopped" is used to indicate the cessation of an action. For example, "After driving for hours, "we stopped" for lunch" or "We stopped the project due to budget cuts".

What can I say instead of "we stopped"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "we paused", "we halted", or "we ceased".

Which is correct, "we stopped to talk" or "we stopped talking"?

"We stopped to talk" means we paused in order to have a conversation, while "we stopped talking" means we ceased having a conversation altogether. The correct choice depends on the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "we stopped" and "we gave up"?

"We stopped" simply indicates the cessation of an action, whereas "we gave up" implies admitting defeat or inability to continue. The latter carries a connotation of failure or resignation.