call a halt to, call an end to

To write more concisely, replace the wordy expression call a halt to or call an end to with a verb such as end, halt, cease, close, conclude or stop.

  • Wordy: Jacob called an end to the snowmobile race after the blizzard began.
  • Concise: Jacob ended the snowmobile race after the blizzard began.
  • Wordy: The demonstrators called a halt to the protest when the authorities agreed to meet with them.
  • Concise: The demonstrators halted (or ceased or stopped) the protest when the authorities agreed to meet with them.
  • Wordy: The chairperson called an end to the meeting after two hours of heated debate.
  • Concise: The chairperson closed (or concluded) the meeting after two hours of heated debate.

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© His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, represented by the Minister of Public Services and Procurement
A tool created and made available online by the Translation Bureau, Public Services and Procurement Canada

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