a sort of break

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a sort of break" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a temporary pause or interruption in an activity or situation, often implying that it is not a complete or formal break. Example: "After working for several hours, I decided to take a sort of break to recharge my energy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

It makes a sort of break from the week in London and I think we all enjoy the ride itself.

The Guardian

"There has come a sort of break in the literary movement that was beginning to feel its first strength in the years 1912-1916, athehe time I was in college at Princeton: the movement on which I grew up and with which I afterwards worked," Wilson wrote in 1944, four years after Fitzgerald's death.

The New Yorker

And just as RIM has a (sort of) break out market in the form of the UK, Symbian is still seeing a bit of life in Italy, where it accounted for 12.8% of sales, although that is a decline of more than 22 percentage points on last year.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Mr. Olyphant finally reached a sort of breaking point during the shooting of a film he declined to identify, when, he said, he found himself in some Eastern European country doing risible junk.

The New York Times - Arts

But I feel right now the city is at a sort of breaking point: there were the huge social issues that lead to the riots, the massive issue around land.

The Guardian - Film

Interspersed with more atmospheric inked, painted and bleached passages, they also impose a sort of interruption, breaking up the field like the stuttering streaks of a poor television signal.

Los Angeles Times

Well, its been about a month so, like with any sort of break up or troubled relationship, you've had your chance to grieve and be angry…now it's time to move on, folks.

TechCrunch

It granted me a sort of temporary break from the reality I was in".

The New York Times

Can't we just say, 'No, I'm watching some crap?'" And for a sort of rhetorical break, he tries to widen his reading to include odd material from other disciplines.

The Guardian - Books

I take a sort of cursing break when my kids aren't around.

Huffington Post

While some see their time off as a sort of lucky break, others struggle with the idea that they can't reach out to God through formal worship at all times especially when faced with personal difficulty or loss.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a sort of break" to indicate a temporary pause or change in activity that isn't necessarily formally scheduled or significant. It's ideal for casual, descriptive writing.

Common error

Avoid substituting "a sort of break" with more formal terms like "hiatus" or "recess" in informal contexts. These alternatives may sound out of place if the overall tone is casual.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a sort of break" primarily functions as a noun phrase, acting as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes a temporary pause or interruption, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a sort of break" is a correct and usable English phrase that describes a temporary pause or interruption. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for general use, particularly in news or media contexts, although it leans towards the informal side. While it's not incorrect to use in other contexts, you might consider more formal alternatives depending on your audience. Use it to describe that moment you pause between activities for a short period of time, to relax and recharge.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a kind of respite

Substitutes "sort" with "kind" and "break" with "respite", offering a slightly more formal tone.

a type of pause

Replaces "sort" with "type" and "break" with "pause", suggesting a temporary cessation.

a temporary interruption

Replaces the entire phrase with a more explicit description of the event as a temporary stop.

a brief recess

Uses "recess" to denote a short break, typically from a more formal activity.

a short interlude

Implies a brief period that separates distinct parts of an event or activity.

a momentary lull

Suggests a temporary period of calm or reduced activity.

a partial cessation

Highlights the incomplete nature of the break or pause.

a quick breather

Uses a more informal term for a short rest or pause.

a short hiatus

Implies a more significant, but still temporary, suspension of activity.

a limited pause

Emphasizes the constrained or restricted duration of the pause.

FAQs

How can I use "a sort of break" in a sentence?

You can use "a sort of break" to describe a temporary pause or interruption in an activity. For example, "After working for hours, I took "a sort of break" to clear my head."

What phrases are similar to "a sort of break"?

Similar phrases include "a kind of pause", "a temporary interruption", or "a brief recess", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a sort of break" formal or informal?

"A sort of break" tends to be more informal. In formal contexts, consider using terms like "a temporary cessation" or "a brief intermission".

What's the difference between "a sort of break" and "a real break"?

"A sort of break" implies a less structured or less complete interruption than "a real break". "A real break" suggests a definitive stop, while ""a sort of break"" suggests something more casual or partial.