"Η κατασκευή σταμάτησε."

Translation: The construction stopped.

[slh123]

Why is the "best" translation one that uses a passive form of the verb in English for an active form in Greek? "The construction stopped" seems to me like a more literal answer. Is there a passive or passive periphrastic form in Greek that would more clearly indicate WAS stopped?

[nauajos]

Nope, nothing there. I also think your translation is the best.

[troll1995]

There is only τελματώθηκε, but is a little bit sophisticated, and this could also mean that the construction came in deadlock for some reason. (so it practically stopped)

[jaye16]

I think because "construction" cannot act on its own. Someone needs to stop it and for that reason we used passive voice.

[Mark958555]

My natural response was "Construction has stopped", which at least in English seems to be a reasonable translation. However, this answer was rejected.

[jaye16]

Yes, it sounds fine and I don't know why we didn't add it sooner. Many thanks.

[hjhj444]

"The building stopped" means the same thing as "the construction stopped". It is the past tense and ought to be accepted. If I'm understanding you right Jaye (see below) I have to disagree with you. We say the noise stopped, the hammering stopped, the construction stopped, etc. although none of these things act on their own. Thanks

[jaye16]

Yes, and as you'll note in the comment above yours I corrected myself and added: "The construction has stopped." I've now added a few others including yours. Thanks for the input.

[Nikos48739]

The construction did stop should be acceptable as answer.

[jaye16]

"Did" is used with past tense sentences to form negative and interrogative sentences. There is only one case where this sentence would be correct and that would be if you were strongly insisting on something but since there isn't context for that it can't be used.