after a break

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "after a break" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a period of rest or pause that has occurred before resuming an activity or task. Example: "We will reconvene the meeting after a break to allow everyone some time to recharge."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

20.25 After a break, it's La Roux.

The Guardian - Music

After a break for photographs, Joyce returns to explain herself.

Independent

Sometimes after a break you can drift into a session.

The Guardian - Sport

The show returns Sunday, June 8, after a break".

The New York Times

After a break, Williams returned to the bench.

The New Yorker

After a break, Dean walks in to a standing ovation from the Women's Caucus.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

How soon can I date after a break-up?

Columbia University

Now, after a break-through season with Dallas, the race is on to secure his signature.

Independent

After a break-up he moved back home to his parents' house and began writing.

Independent

The firebomber was seen on a security camera installed after a break-in last March.

The New York Times

This article originally appeared on VICE US.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In academic writing, ensure that "after a break" is followed by a clear explanation of what resumes or changes following the pause, such as "After a break, the experiment was repeated with a new variable."

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by specifying the length or purpose of the break when necessary. Simply stating "after a break" might leave the reader wondering how long the pause was or what it was for.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "after a break" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate when an action occurs. As Ludwig AI states, it indicates a period of rest or pause that has occurred before resuming an activity or task.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Wiki

21%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

6%

Academia

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "after a break" is a versatile and commonly used adverbial phrase that signals the resumption of an activity following a pause. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and finds frequent application across various contexts, especially in News & Media, Wiki, and Scientific writing. While the phrase is generally neutral, specifying the duration or purpose of the break can enhance clarity. Considering alternatives such as "following an intermission" or "after an interval" may be appropriate depending on the desired level of formality. Overall, "after a break" is a clear and effective way to indicate the temporal sequence of events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

following an intermission

Replaces "break" with "intermission", suggesting a formal pause in an event.

after a recess

Replaces "break" with "recess", often used in formal or structured environments.

after an interval

Substitutes "break" with "interval", indicating a period separating events.

subsequent to a pause

Uses "subsequent" to indicate time and replaces "break" with the synonym "pause".

following a respite

Replaces "break" with "respite", which implies a temporary relief or rest.

following a lull

Uses "lull" instead of "break", suggesting a temporary quiet or pause.

after a temporary cessation

Replaces "break" with a more formal "temporary cessation" to emphasize the interruption.

subsequent to the interruption

Specifies the break with a formal "interruption".

after a period of inactivity

Specifies the break as a time of not being active.

upon resuming

Focuses on the action of restarting, implying a break has occurred.

FAQs

How can I use "after a break" in a sentence?

Use "after a break" to indicate that something happens following a pause or interruption. For example: "After a break, the meeting will resume at 2 PM."

What are some alternatives to "after a break"?

You can use alternatives like "following an intermission", "subsequent to a pause", or "after an interval" depending on the context.

Is "after a break" formal or informal language?

"After a break" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives exist, such as "subsequent to a pause".

How long should the break be when I say "after a break"?

The duration of the break is context-dependent and should be specified if it is important for clarity. If the length is not relevant, simply stating "after a break" is sufficient.