after a short pause

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "after a short pause" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a brief interruption or delay before continuing with a statement or action. Example: "She took a deep breath and, after a short pause, continued her speech with renewed confidence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

After a short pause, he said: "I'm used to winning.

The New York Times - Sports

After a short pause, Steinbrenner replied, "He was all right".

The New York Times

Then, after a short pause, he adds, "But my wife won't give me a divorce".

The New York Times

The first heart sound is followed after a short pause by the second.

Encyclopedia Britannica

However, after a short pause Gitelman called for dummy's diamond king!

The New York Times

"I want you to trust me". After a short pause he replaced his glasses and smiled.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

After each block, a short pause of approximately 2 min was given.

Current Biology

Action and non-action verbs were presented in a random order within each block, with a short pause after 32 items.

Plosone

These different task conditions were conducted in a blocked manner, i.e. each of these specific tasks was repeated 50 times with a short pause after 25 trials.

European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience

These different task conditions were conducted in a blocked manner, and each task was repeated 50 times with a short pause after 25 trials.

European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience

( With a short pause after boots. ) The person will most likely repeat the entire phrase: "boots, without shoes".

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the emotional impact of the pause. A "short pause" can build suspense or indicate reflection depending on the context.

Common error

While effective, relying too heavily on "after a short pause" can make your writing seem formulaic. Vary your sentence structure and use synonyms to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "after a short pause" functions as a prepositional phrase, indicating the temporal relationship between an action or statement and a brief interruption. Ludwig provides numerous examples where this phrase sets the stage for subsequent events or revelations, demonstrating its role in pacing and emphasis.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

18%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

4%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "after a short pause" is a common prepositional phrase used to indicate a brief break or hesitation before continuing an action or statement. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalence across various contexts, especially in News & Media and Science. The phrase serves to create anticipation or emphasize thoughtfulness. While effective, it should be used judiciously to avoid repetitiveness. Consider alternatives like "following a brief silence" or "after a moment's hesitation" to maintain writing variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

following a brief silence

Replaces "pause" with "silence", emphasizing the absence of sound.

after a moment's hesitation

Substitutes "short pause" with "moment's hesitation", highlighting uncertainty.

subsequent to a short break

Uses "subsequent to" for a more formal tone and "break" instead of "pause".

after a brief interlude

Employs "interlude" to suggest a temporary cessation of activity.

following a small delay

Replaces "pause" with "delay", focusing on the time aspect.

after a quick lull

Uses "lull" to indicate a temporary period of quiet or inactivity.

after pausing briefly

Changes the structure to a verb phrase, emphasizing the action of pausing.

following a momentary stop

Highlights the temporary halt in action with "momentary stop".

after a split-second of stillness

Emphasizes the brevity of the pause using "split-second of stillness".

upon a short respite

Uses "respite" to suggest a brief period of relief or rest.

FAQs

How can I use "after a short pause" in a sentence?

The phrase "after a short pause" typically introduces what happens or what is said following a brief moment of silence or hesitation. Example: "She looked up, and after a short pause, she smiled warmly."

What can I say instead of "after a short pause"?

Alternatives include "following a brief silence", "after a moment's hesitation", or "subsequent to a short break" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "after a short pause" and "after a long pause"?

Yes, the length of the pause significantly changes the implication. A "short pause" suggests brief consideration or anticipation, while "after a long pause" implies deeper thought, reluctance, or emotional processing.

What kind of effect does "after a short pause" have on the reader?

It creates a sense of anticipation and allows the reader to consider what might be said or done next. It can also indicate that the speaker is choosing their words carefully.