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English preposition guide

“to stop”, “of stop” or “with stop” ?

“To stop” is usually an infinitive verb phrase. “Of stop” and “with stop” are not normal fixed combinations with the noun stop in standard English.

Quick answer

Which form is correct?

Use “to stop” when stop is a verb in the infinitive form, as in “I want to stop”. The combinations “of stop” and “with stop” are generally not idiomatic as fixed phrases. With the noun stop, English more often uses expressions such as “at a stop”, “bus stop”, or “without stopping”.

She decided to stop early.
The train came to a stop near the station.
We waited at the bus stop for ten minutes.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
to stop + verb

Using the infinitive form

Use “to stop” when stop is part of an infinitive verb structure.

I need to stop worrying.
They agreed to stop the project.
2
come to a stop

Describing movement ending

Use “to a stop” after verbs like come, grind, or slow.

The car came to a stop outside the hotel.
3
at + stop

Talking about transport locations

Use “at” with bus stop, train stop, or tram stop when referring to location.

We met at the bus stop after work.
4
without stopping

Expressing continuous movement

English usually uses “without stopping” instead of nonstandard combinations such as “with stop”.

He drove for hours without stopping.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
to stop
She wants to stop smoking.
Correct infinitive verb form.
of stop
The phrase “of stop” is not a standard fixed combination in modern English.
Usually incorrect or unnatural unless part of a larger specialised phrase.
with stop
English normally says “without stopping” or “with a stopover”, not “with stop”.
Generally nonstandard as a fixed expression.
to a stop
The bicycle rolled to a stop.
Natural expression showing movement ending.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using “of stop” as a general phrase

English does not normally combine “of” directly with the noun stop in this way.

✕ of stop ✓ at the stop / to stop / to a stop

Using “with stop” for interruption

Use a clearer expression such as “with a stopover” or “without stopping”.

✕ We travelled with stop. ✓ We travelled with a stopover.

Confusing noun and verb uses

“To stop” is a verb structure, not a noun phrase.

✕ The to stop was sudden. ✓ The stop was sudden.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. She decided ___ working late.
2. The train slowly came ___ near the platform.
3. We waited ___ for the number 12 bus.

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Frequently asked questions

Is “to stop” a prepositional phrase?

Usually no. “To” is commonly part of the infinitive verb form: “to stop”.

Can I say “of stop”?

Not as a normal fixed phrase in everyday English. Other structures are usually more natural.

What is a common expression with the noun stop?

Common expressions include “bus stop”, “at the stop”, and “come to a stop”.

to, amount, in, amount, of, amount "to availability" or "of availability"? "to bed" or "in bed"? "to bit" or "by bit"? "to bottom" or "at bottom"? to, by, from, with or of ear? "to charity", "for charity" or "of charity"? "to coast" or "from coast"? "to cycle" or "of cycle"? "to deal" or "of deal"? "to debut" or "on debut"? "to editor" or "of editor"?

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