a quick pause

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a quick pause" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a brief interruption or break in an activity or conversation. Example: "Let's take a quick pause before we continue with the meeting to gather our thoughts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

After a quick pause, he added: "OK, maybe the wage ought to be higher in New York".

The Guardian

When I see a woman who's made her face a mask I say: 'I bet, I bet.'" A quick pause for breath.

The Guardian - Film

The second show, which began after a quick pause, had similar features — all black, burgundy, bleach white — and a jaw-dropping cast that included Gisele Bundchen, Shalom Harlow and Carmen Kass.

The New York Times

After a quick pause, she added "Plus, it's the only time anyone ever touches my body.

Huffington Post

My cousin took a quick pause and responded by asking me what "out of the closet" meant.

Huffington Post

But after a quick pause, they hit the volume button as Carney banged his kit and Auerbach jammed out for a string of exclamation points.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

"The tetrapods we know from the latest Devonian would have been strange to our eyes," Stig explains to me as we pause for a quick break from digging.

The Guardian

Quick pause for definitions, and I very much like how Alberani defines grey literature: "In general, grey literature publications are non-conventional, fugitive, and sometimes ephemeral publications".

Huffington Post

However, as is increasingly the case with Twitter, a quick moment to pause and actually do one's own reading around the issue revealed quite a different picture.

The Guardian - Opinion

The December 15th Harvard Business Review featured a Google manager that resets her system with a quick 6-second pause before entering a meeting.

Huffington Post

There was a pause, a quick survey to make sure I wasn't lying before she said: "You're an idiot.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a quick pause" to indicate a deliberate, short break in speech or action, often for emphasis or to gather thoughts. This phrase adds a sense of intentionality to the interruption.

Common error

Avoid using "a quick pause" excessively in descriptive writing where active verbs would be more impactful. Instead of "There was a quick pause", try "He paused briefly" to maintain a more direct and engaging tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a quick pause" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as an adverbial modifier to describe the manner in which an action is performed. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness. It suggests a brief suspension of activity.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a quick pause" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that describes a brief interruption. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its proper usage across various contexts. While not extremely common, it is most frequently found in news and media sources. When writing, consider using this phrase to indicate a deliberate, short break, or explore synonyms like "a short break" or "a brief hiatus" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a short break

Substitutes "pause" with "break" and "quick" with "short", maintaining the meaning of a brief interruption.

a brief hiatus

Replaces "pause" with a more formal synonym, "hiatus".

a momentary hesitation

Focuses on the act of hesitating rather than a complete stop.

a momentary lapse

Emphasizes the brevity of the pause, suggesting a very short duration.

a split-second pause

Quantifies the pause to an extremely small duration.

a fleeting interruption

Highlights the transient nature of the pause, implying a minimal disruption.

a brief respite

Implies that the pause offers relief or rest.

a swift cessation

Uses more formal vocabulary to describe a rapid stop.

a short interlude

Suggests a pause that serves as a pleasant break.

a temporary suspension

Indicates a halt that is not permanent.

FAQs

How can I use "a quick pause" in a sentence?

You can use "a quick pause" to describe a brief interruption in speech or action. For example, "After "a quick pause", she continued her presentation".

What are some alternatives to "a quick pause"?

Alternatives include "a short break", "a brief hiatus", or "a momentary lapse", depending on the context.

Is it ever incorrect to use "a quick pause"?

While grammatically correct, overusing "a quick pause" might make your writing sound repetitive. Consider using synonyms to vary your language and maintain reader engagement.

What's the difference between "a quick pause" and "a long pause"?

"A quick pause" indicates a very short break, while "a long pause" implies a more significant interruption, often suggesting contemplation or uncertainty.