English for Today by Ganiu Abisoye Bamgbose (Dr GAB)
CEASE or SEIZE?
The rain has ~seized~ at about 2 pm (nonstandard).
The rain had *ceased* at about 2 pm (standard).
If something ceases, it stops happening or existing.
This man never ~seizes~ to amaze me (nonstandard).
This man never *ceases* to amaze me (standard).
If you cease to do something, you stop doing it.
We were directed to ~seize~ fire (nonstandard).
We were directed to *cease* fire (standard).
If you cease something, you stop it happening or working.
You shouldn’t have ~ceased~ her hand (nonstandard).
You shouldn’t have *seized* her hand (standard).
If you seize something, you take hold of it quickly, firmly, and forcefully.
The police reportedly ~ceased~ all the available copies in the store (nonstandard).
The police reportedly *seized* all the available copies in the store (standard).
If a government or other authority seize someone’s property, they take it from them, often by force.
GAB
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