a temporary truce

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a temporary truce" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a short-term agreement or pause in hostilities between parties, often in a conflict or negotiation context. Example: "After days of intense negotiations, the two sides finally agreed to a temporary truce to allow for humanitarian aid to reach the affected areas."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He said he was "very, very disappointed" by Sunday's violence but hoped a way to secure at least a temporary truce could still be found.

The Washington Post

On Friday a temporary truce was declared in the town, where Ukrainian forces are fighting to hold it against surrounding rebels.

BBC

Social conservatives were rabid after Mr Daniels, anti-abortion himself, told the Weekly Standard that he favoured a temporary truce on social issues.

The Economist

A temporary truce was quickly shattered.

The New Yorker

"We have just reached a temporary truce.

The Guardian

The army and politicians mediated a temporary truce.

The Economist

Mr Ulufa'alu has resigned and the rival ethnic groups have agreed to a temporary truce.

The Economist

The standoff ended on Wednesday night, in a temporary truce between leadership and police.

The Guardian

Ministers reached a temporary truce by announcing an improved offer with an extra £15 million.

The Times

Burress called a temporary truce to the pranks because Manning "got too serious," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

It also has negotiated a temporary truce with the Israelis, through Egyptian mediators.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a temporary truce", be clear about the specific issue or conflict to which it applies. This avoids ambiguity and ensures the reader understands the context of the pause.

Common error

Avoid implying that "a temporary truce" will automatically lead to a lasting resolution. Emphasize its limited duration and the potential for renewed conflict to manage expectations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a temporary truce" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It acts as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence, denoting a short-lived agreement to halt conflict. Ludwig AI shows several examples where the phrase is used in news articles and reports to describe pauses in various conflicts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a temporary truce" is a noun phrase used to describe a short-lived cessation of conflict. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is grammatically correct and very common, predominantly appearing in News & Media. The phrase's primary function is to inform and describe a pause in hostilities, maintaining a neutral register. While widely used, remember to clarify the context and avoid implying permanence when using this phrase. Alternatives include "a provisional ceasefire" or "a short-lived armistice", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a provisional ceasefire

Emphasizes the conditional and potentially unstable nature of the ceasefire.

a short-lived armistice

Highlights the brief duration of the armistice.

a brief cessation of hostilities

Focuses on the ending of conflict, though only for a limited time.

a momentary suspension of conflict

Stresses the extremely short duration and potential for immediate resumption.

a fragile peace

Emphasizes the delicacy and instability of the peace.

an interim agreement

Suggests a formal but not necessarily lasting agreement.

a limited détente

Implies a reduction in tension rather than a full resolution of conflict.

a cooling-off period

Suggests a pause to allow emotions to subside before resuming conflict.

a lull in the fighting

Highlights a pause specifically in physical combat or warfare.

a moratorium

Refers to an official or legal suspension of an activity.

FAQs

How to use "a temporary truce" in a sentence?

You can use "a temporary truce" to describe a short-term cessation of hostilities or disagreement, such as "The warring factions agreed to "a temporary truce" to allow aid to reach civilians".

What can I say instead of "a temporary truce"?

You can use alternatives like "a provisional ceasefire", "a short-lived armistice", or "a brief cessation of hostilities" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "a temporary truce" or "a permanent truce"?

"A temporary truce" implies a short-term cessation of conflict, while a "permanent truce" suggests a lasting resolution. The choice depends on the situation you are describing.

What's the difference between "a temporary truce" and "a ceasefire"?

While both terms refer to a cessation of fighting, ""a temporary truce"" emphasizes the limited duration of the agreement, while "a ceasefire" can sometimes imply a more open-ended or potentially lasting agreement.