stopping

Everyday

1. Stopping means coming to an end or no longer moving: The bus is stopping. tree →
2. Stopping can mean making someone or something stop: stopping the ball. tree →
3. Stopping can mean staying somewhere for a short time: We are stopping at Gran's tonight. tree →

In the lessons

In science, stopping a moving object needs a force (brakes use friction); a fast car needs a longer stopping distance, especially on wet or icy roads, which is why you must never step out in front of traffic. In stories, stopping shows a pause in action. Phrases: stopping distance, without stopping, non-stop, stopping by.

Examples

• The train is stopping at the next station. tree →
• Rain is not stopping soon. tree →
• Cars need a long stopping distance on wet roads. tree →
• The goalkeeper is good at stopping penalties. tree →
• He ran without stopping. tree →
• We are stopping at a café for lunch. tree →
• Brakes make the bike stop by friction. tree →
• Thank you for stopping by. tree →

Note

Double p: stopping, stopped. «Stop doing» means you no longer do it (stop eating); «stop to do» means you pause in order to do something (stop to eat). In maths/science, stopping distance = thinking distance + braking distance.