Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use 'stop -ing' to quit an action; use 'stop to' to pause what you're doing for a new purpose.
- Stop + Gerund (-ing) means the action itself ends. Example: 'I stopped smoking' (I quit).
- Stop + Infinitive (to...) means you pause to do something else. Example: 'I stopped to smoke' (I paused my walk).
- The infinitive 'to' actually acts as 'in order to' in these sentences.
Overview
stop の後ろに gerund（動名詞：-ing形）を置くか、それとも infinitive（不定詞：to + 動詞の原形）を置くかという選択です。stop という動詞が後ろに続く言葉をどのような「役割」として扱っているかにあります。日本語の助詞（「〜を」や「〜のために」）の違いをイメージすると分かりやすくなります。stop + gerund (-ing形) の仕組み-ing）が stop の直後に来る場合、この動名詞は文法的に「目的語」として機能します。つまり、「〜すること」という動作そのものを「やめる・中止する」という意味になります。日本語の助詞で言えば、「〜することをやめる」に相当します。stop + infinitive (to不定詞) の仕組みto不定詞が続く場合、この to不定詞は stop の目的語ではありません。文法的には「副詞的用法」と呼ばれ、「〜するために」という「目的」を表します。この時の stop は、それ自体で「（今している動作を）立ち止まる・中断する」という完結した意味を持ち、その「理由」を to不定詞が説明している形になります。stop + -ing (動名詞) | stop + to ... (不定詞) |Subject + stop(s/ped) + Verb-ingI stopped drinking coffee after 4 PM.The baby stopped crying when he saw his mother.We should stop arguing and find a solution.Subject + stop(s/ped) + to + Base VerbOn the way to the office, I stopped to buy a newspaper.He stopped to check his phone.While hiking, we stopped to admire the view.stop + -ing を使うべき場面- 1習慣や依存を断つとき
I stopped eating late at night to lose weight.（減量のために夜遅く食べるのをやめた。）My father finally stopped smoking.（父はついにタバコをやめた。）- 1不快なことや無駄なことをやめさせるとき
Please stop making that noise.（その音を出すのをやめてください。）Stop wasting your time on SNS.（SNSで時間を無駄にするのはやめなさい。）- 1自然現象や機械の停止
The rain has stopped falling.（雨が降りやんだ。）The engine stopped working.（エンジンが動かなくなった。）stop + to do を使うべき場面- 1移動中の寄り道や中断
I stopped to get some gas.（ガソリンを入れるために（車を）止めた。）She stopped to talk to her neighbor.（彼女は隣人と話すために足を止めた。）- 1仕事や勉強の合間の休憩
Let's stop to have a coffee break.（コーヒー休憩を取るために（作業を）中断しましょう。）I was studying, but I stopped to answer the door.（勉強していたが、玄関のチャイムに応対するために手を止めた。）to で表現しようとしてしまうミスstop smoking と言うべきところで、ついつい stop to smoke と言ってしまうミスが非常に多いです。I want to stop to smoke for my health.I want to stop smoking for my health.stop to smoke は「タバコを吸うために（立ち止まる）」という意味です。健康のためにタバコを吸うために立ち止まるのは、文脈的に矛盾してしまいます。日本語の「やめる」という動詞の性質を考え、「何を」やめるのかを直後に置く習慣をつけましょう。stop の後ろの形が文脈そのものを決定します。Let's stop going to the convenience store.Let's stop to go to the convenience store.stop going と言うと、「（習慣的に）そのコンビニに行くのをやめよう（もうあそこには行かないようにしよう）」という、絶縁宣言のような意味になってしまいます。その場で寄りたい時は、必ず to を使いましょう。stop を一律に「止める」と覚えがちですが、stop to do の時の stop は「（自分が）止まる」という自動詞的な動きであり、stop -ing の時の stop は「（動作を）中止する」という他動詞的な動きです。この意識の差が、形の選択ミスにつながります。stop と同様に、後ろに動名詞が来るか不定詞が来るかで意味が変わる動詞は他にもあります。これらをセットで覚えることで、英語の体系的な理解が深まります。stop smoking: すでに吸っている状態（現在・継続）を止める。stop to smoke: これから吸うという目的（未来・方向）のために止まる。Quit や Finish と Stop はどう違いますか？Quit は主に「習慣や仕事をやめる」という強い意志を伴う場合に使われ、常に動名詞（-ing）を伴います。Finish は「終える、完了させる」という意味で、これも動名詞を伴います。Stop はそれらよりも汎用性が高く、一時的な中断から永久的な終了まで幅広く使えますが、to不定詞を伴って「目的」を表せるのは Stop 特有の性質です。I stopped to talk to him. と言った場合、何を止めたのか言わなくていいのですか？stop は「歩くのを止める」「作業を止める」といった、その場の状況から明らかな動作の中断を指します。英語では文脈から判断できる場合、具体的な「中断した内容」を省略するのが一般的です。Stop to do の否定形はどうなりますか？I didn't stop to help him.（彼を助けるために立ち止まらなかった＝素通りした）のように、助動詞 did not などを使って表現します。一方で Stop -ing の否定は Stop not talking とは言わず、Keep talking（話し続ける）などの別の表現を使うのが自然です。We stopped considering the proposal. のように動名詞を使います。もし We stopped to consider the proposal. と言うと、「（他の議題を止めて）その提案を検討するために時間を割いた」というポジティブな意味に変わってしまいます。ビジネスではこの一語の差が大きな違いを生むので注意しましょう。2. Negative Contractions
| Full Form | Contraction | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Do not stop
|
Don't stop
|
Don't stop believing.
|
|
Does not stop
|
Doesn't stop
|
He doesn't stop to rest.
|
|
Did not stop
|
Didn't stop
|
I didn't stop running.
|
Conjugating 'Stop' with Gerunds and Infinitives
| Tense | Stop Form | Gerund (Cessation) | Infinitive (Purpose) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Present Simple
|
stops / stop
|
He stops smoking.
|
He stops to smoke.
|
|
Present Continuous
|
is/are stopping
|
She is stopping working.
|
She is stopping to work.
|
|
Past Simple
|
stopped
|
I stopped eating.
|
I stopped to eat.
|
|
Past Continuous
|
was/were stopping
|
They were stopping fighting.
|
They were stopping to fight.
|
|
Future (Will)
|
will stop
|
You will stop crying.
|
You will stop to cry.
|
|
Present Perfect
|
has/have stopped
|
We have stopped going.
|
We have stopped to go.
|
Meanings
The verb 'stop' changes its meaning based on whether it is followed by a gerund (-ing) or an infinitive (to + verb). The gerund indicates the activity being terminated, while the infinitive indicates the purpose of a pause.
Cessation of Activity
Ending the action described by the gerund. The action is the object of the stopping.
“Please stop talking while I am presenting.”
“I stopped buying plastic bottles to save money.”
Interruption for Purpose
Pausing a current (often unstated) activity in order to perform the action described by the infinitive.
“On my way home, I stopped to buy some milk.”
“We stopped to look at the sunset during our hike.”
Negative Commands
Using the gerund to tell someone to cease a behavior immediately.
“Don't stop believing!”
“Stop making that annoying noise!”
Reference Table
| 構造 | 意味 | 例 | 意図 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Stop + Gerund (-ing)
|
活動を完全にやめる
|
I stopped smoking.
|
喫煙という行動が終わった。
|
|
Stop + Infinitive (to + verb)
|
何かをするために一時停止する
|
I stopped to smoke.
|
他の活動を一時停止して、タバコを吸った。
|
|
Stop + Gerund (-ing)
|
進行中の行動を終える
|
She stopped working at 5 PM.
|
その日の彼女の仕事が終わった。
|
|
Stop + Infinitive (to + verb)
|
ある目的のために行動を中断する
|
She stopped to take a call.
|
電話に出るために仕事を一時停止した。
|
|
Stop + Gerund (-ing)
|
習慣をやめる
|
He stopped biting his nails.
|
爪を噛む習慣がなくなった。
|
|
Stop + Infinitive (to + verb)
|
目標のために一時的に立ち止まる
|
He stopped to buy groceries.
|
食料品を買うために旅を一時中断した。
|
フォーマル度スペクトル
I have ceased working for the corporation. (Career change)
I stopped working at the office. (Career change)
I quit working there. (Career change)
I ditched that 9-to-5. (Career change)
Stop + 動名詞 vs 不定詞
Stop + 動名詞 (-ing)
- 行動が終わる Ceasing an activity
- 習慣をやめる Giving up a repeated action
- もうしない Indicating cessation
Stop + 不定詞 (to + verb)
- 目的のために一時停止 Interrupting one action for another
- 停止の理由 Explaining 'why' you stopped
- 一時的な中断 A brief interruption
Stop: やめる vs 一時停止
Stop + 動名詞か不定詞かの選び方
行動を完全に終えようとしていますか？
何か他のことをするために一時停止していますか？
日常の「Stop」の状況
習慣をやめる
- • Stop eating junk food
- • Stop biting nails
- • Stop procrastinating
目的のために一時停止
- • Stop to get coffee
- • Stop to ask directions
- • Stop to take a photo
活動を終える
- • Stop watching TV
- • Stop working
- • Stop arguing
進行を中断する
- • Stop to make a call
- • Stop to tie shoes
- • Stop to admire view
レベル別の例文
Stop running in the house!
Stop running in the house!
I stop to drink water.
I stop to drink water.
He stopped talking.
He stopped talking.
They stop to see the dog.
They stop to see the dog.
I stopped eating meat last year.
I stopped eating meat last year.
We stopped to take a photo of the mountain.
We stopped to take a photo of the mountain.
Did you stop to buy the bread?
Did you stop to buy the bread?
Please stop making that noise.
Please stop making that noise.
I've stopped checking my emails after 8 PM.
I've stopped checking my emails after 8 PM.
The hikers stopped to catch their breath.
The hikers stopped to catch their breath.
She stopped to ask for directions to the station.
She stopped to ask for directions to the station.
You should stop worrying about things you can't control.
You should stop worrying about things you can't control.
The company stopped manufacturing that model due to low sales.
The company stopped manufacturing that model due to low sales.
On our way to the gala, we stopped to pick up the flowers.
On our way to the gala, we stopped to pick up the flowers.
He stopped to consider the consequences of his actions.
He stopped to consider the consequences of his actions.
The government has stopped funding the project.
The government has stopped funding the project.
The philosopher stopped to contemplate the nature of existence.
The philosopher stopped to contemplate the nature of existence.
The engine stopped working altogether after the long journey.
The engine stopped working altogether after the long journey.
We must stop viewing the environment as an infinite resource.
We must stop viewing the environment as an infinite resource.
She stopped to admire the intricate craftsmanship of the vase.
She stopped to admire the intricate craftsmanship of the vase.
The protagonist stopped to reflect upon the sheer audacity of the plan.
The protagonist stopped to reflect upon the sheer audacity of the plan.
The committee stopped short of recommending a total ban.
The committee stopped short of recommending a total ban.
One must stop to appreciate the ephemeral beauty of the cherry blossoms.
One must stop to appreciate the ephemeral beauty of the cherry blossoms.
The heart stopped beating for several seconds during the procedure.
The heart stopped beating for several seconds during the procedure.
間違えやすい
Both verbs change meaning based on the following form, but the logic is slightly different (past memory vs future task).
Try + -ing means an experiment; Try + to means an effort. Stop is more about cessation vs purpose.
Quit only takes the gerund. Stop takes both.
よくある間違い
I stop to smoke (meaning I quit).
I stopped smoking.
Stop to talk!
Stop talking!
He stopped to working.
He stopped working.
I stopped for eat.
I stopped to eat.
We stopped for taking photos.
We stopped to take photos.
I didn't stop to smoking.
I didn't stop smoking.
She stopped to buyed milk.
She stopped to buy milk.
I stopped to use my phone while driving.
I stopped using my phone while driving.
The rain stopped to fall.
The rain stopped falling.
He stopped to be a doctor.
He stopped being a doctor.
The car stopped to run.
The car stopped running.
I stopped to think about it (meaning I quit thinking).
I stopped thinking about it.
They stopped to fund the project.
They stopped funding the project.
文型パターン
I stopped ___ because it was too expensive.
On my way to ___, I stopped to ___.
Please stop ___! I'm trying to ___.
The company stopped ___ to focus on ___.
Real World Usage
Stop texting me, I'm in a meeting!
In 500 meters, stop to pay the toll.
I stopped working there to travel the world.
Have you stopped taking your medication?
I can't stop laughing at this meme!
Please stop smoking in the terminal.
「目的」か「やめる」かで考えよう
I stopped working to eat lunch.vs
I stopped working.「Stop for」と混同しないで
状況がすべて！
I stopped to clarify the point.
言葉の裏にある社会的なニュアンス
Could you please stop interrupting me?
行動をイメージしてみよう
He stopped to read a message.vs
He stopped reading.Smart Tips
Use 'stop to' for every landmark or gas station you visited.
Use 'stop -ing' for all the bad habits you want to quit.
Check if there is a 'to' or an '-ing' immediately after to understand the plot.
Use 'Would you mind stopping...ing' instead of 'Stop...ing'.
発音
The 'ed' in Stopped
The 'ed' in 'stopped' is pronounced as a /t/ sound because it follows a voiceless /p/.
Linking 'Stop to'
When saying 'stop to', the 'p' and 't' are both stops. There is a tiny pause between them.
Emphasis on the Verb
I stopped SMOKING (not drinking).
Focuses on the specific action that was quit.
Emphasis on the Purpose
I stopped to EAT (not to sleep).
Focuses on the reason for the pause.
暗記しよう
記憶術
ING is for the thing you are ENDING. TO is for the thing you are going TO do.
視覚的連想
Imagine a smoker throwing a cigarette in the trash (Stop smoking). Now imagine a hiker stopping at a bench to tie their shoe (Stop to tie shoe).
Rhyme
Stop with -ing, end the thing. Stop with to, something new to do.
Story
I was driving to work when I saw a beautiful flower. I stopped driving (gerund) because I wanted to look at it. I stopped to look (infinitive) at the flower for five minutes.
Word Web
チャレンジ
Write two sentences about your morning: one thing you stopped doing (e.g., checking social media) and one thing you stopped to do (e.g., buy coffee).
文化メモ
In the UK, 'stop' is frequently used with 'for' + noun (e.g., 'stop for a tea') as an alternative to the infinitive.
Americans often use 'stop by' or 'stop in' to mean a brief visit, which is a different phrasal verb usage.
In professional settings, 'stop to consider' is a polite way to say you are pausing a project to think about a problem.
The word 'stop' comes from the Old English 'stoppian', meaning to plug or close a hole.
会話のきっかけ
What is one bad habit you stopped doing recently?
On your last vacation, where did you stop to take photos?
If you were driving across the country, what would you stop to see?
Have you ever stopped working to pursue a hobby?
日記のテーマ
よくある間違い
Test Yourself
I need to stop ___ procrastinating on my assignments.
Choose the correct sentence:
Find and fix the mistake:
My grandpa stopped to smoke 10 years ago.
Score: /3
練習問題
8 exercisesI was so thirsty that I stopped ___ some water.
He had a heart attack, so he stopped ___ immediately.
Find and fix the mistake:
We stopped *taking* a break after three hours of hiking.
I don't play the piano anymore.
A: Why are you late? B: I stopped ___ a flat tire for a stranger.
1. I stopped running. 2. I stopped to run.
'Stop to eat' means you are no longer eating.
Category Selection
Score: /8
Practice Bank
11 exercisesI had to stop ___ for directions because my GPS died.
The factory stopped to pollute the river after new regulations.
Choose the correct sentence:
Translate into English: 'Ella se detuvo para atarse los cordones.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
状況と正しい形を合わせてください:
I saw my old friend and stopped ___ hello.
Choose the correct sentence:
Translate into English: 'Ella dejó de usar su teléfono después de la medianoche.'
They were running a marathon and stopped to drink water.
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Score: /11
よくある質問 (8)
Yes! For example: 'I stopped `smoking` (quit) to `save` (purpose) money.'
No, they simply have different meanings. Neither is more formal than the other.
This is grammatically incorrect. You should say 'I stopped to eat' or 'I stopped for a meal'.
No. 'Quit' only takes the gerund. You cannot say 'I quit to smoke'.
This is very unnatural. You would say 'I stopped smoking' or 'I paused to avoid the smoke'.
Yes, in these patterns, 'stop' is the main verb being conjugated.
Use the gerund: 'Stop `biting` your nails!'
In English, the infinitive 'to' often carries the meaning of 'in order to'.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Dejar de vs Parar para
Spanish uses the infinitive for both, distinguished by the preposition (de vs para).
Arrêter de vs S'arrêter pour
French requires the reflexive 'se' for the physical act of pausing.
Aufhören vs Anhalten um zu
German uses entirely different verbs rather than one verb with two patterns.
~no o yameru vs ~tame ni tomaru
Japanese relies on different verbs and particles like 'tame ni'.
Tawaqquf 'an vs Tawaqquf li-
The preposition 'an' (from) is used for the gerund-equivalent meaning.
Tíngzhǐ vs Tíng xiàlái wèile
Chinese uses resultative verb endings and explicit 'in order to' conjunctions.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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「～するのをやめる」「～するために立ち止まる」stop Vingとstop to Vの違い【基礎英文法#18】
モリケンイングリッシュ
stop to do と stop doing の違いを中学レベルで完全解説！
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英文法：stop to do と stop doing の違い
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