a brief recess

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a brief recess" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a short break or pause in an activity, such as a meeting, class, or event. Example: "After a long discussion, the committee decided to take a brief recess to allow members to gather their thoughts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

Two other lawyers ask for a brief recess to engage in a tryst.

The New York Times

"I don't know much about these things," Mr. Sidgmore said during a brief recess.

The New York Times

A court officer rekindled the lights, Judge Saxe called for a brief recess, and the court reporter summoned Alcott.

The New Yorker

But after a brief recess, the Israeli delegates were told by Mr. Barak's office that they should continue the negotiations.

The New York Times

I cringed while considering the party at which I apparently had given myself a brief recess from self-absorption and my guests a nasty dose of food poisoning.

The New York Times

After a brief recess, the examination continues in a private session with only the candidate and members of the examining committee in attendance.

Stanford University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

A brief recession followed.

Forbes

Take a brief break.

WikiHow

Murkowski has been busy managing debate on an annual spending bill, so she expects to begin digging into the issue when she returns to Alaska early next month during a brief Senate recess.

The Washington Post

Just after a brief lunch recess, W. Dexter Douglass, one of Mr. Gore's lawyers, pleaded with Judge Sauls to make a decision on whether to count the ballots, which he repeated with fervor later in the day.

The New York Times

Following a brief afternoon recess, her defense attorney, Kurt Nurmi, announced he was done with his direct examination.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a brief recess" when you want to indicate a short, temporary pause in an activity, such as a meeting, trial, or other formal proceeding. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While "recess" isn't inherently overly formal, be mindful of using it in very casual settings where simpler terms like "break" or "pause" might be more appropriate. Overusing formal language can sometimes sound stilted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a brief recess" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb (e.g., "call a recess", "take a recess"). It indicates a temporary pause or break, often in a formal setting such as a court or meeting. Ludwig examples confirm its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Academia

9%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a brief recess" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to denote a short break or pause, particularly in formal settings. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It functions primarily as a noun phrase and is most frequently encountered in news and media contexts. While it's suitable for formal situations, simpler terms like "short break" may be preferable in casual conversation. Be mindful of the context to avoid sounding overly formal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a short pause

Focuses on the interruption itself being short.

a quick break

Emphasizes the speed and informality of the break.

a small break

Highlights the limited duration of the pause.

a moment's pause

Emphasizes a very short duration.

a momentary respite

Highlights the relief provided by the break.

a short intermission

Implies a structured or formal break, like in a performance.

a short interlude

Suggests a brief period that contrasts with what precedes and follows it.

a temporary halt

Focuses on the cessation of activity as being temporary.

a fleeting pause

Emphasizes the brevity and quickness of the pause.

a temporary cessation

Focuses on the act of stopping temporarily.

FAQs

How can I use "a brief recess" in a sentence?

You can use "a brief recess" to indicate a short break or pause in an activity. For example, "The judge called "a brief recess" to allow the jury to deliberate".

What's a less formal alternative to "a brief recess"?

Less formal alternatives include "a quick break" or "a short pause", which may be more suitable in casual conversations.

Is "a brief recess" suitable for academic writing?

Yes, "a brief recess" is perfectly suitable for academic writing when describing a temporary pause in proceedings, discussions, or schedules.

How does "a brief recess" differ from "a short break"?

While both indicate a pause, "a brief recess" often implies a more formal or structured setting, whereas "a short break" is more general and can apply to any situation where someone needs to pause their activity.