are on break

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are on break" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone is currently taking a break from work or an activity. Example: "The employees are on break, so please do not disturb them until they return."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

He lives with his wife and his mother; his daughter and son join them when they are on break, from Harvard and Yale, respectively.

The New Yorker

And with Passover on March 25 and Easter on March 31, many schools are on break this week, so we're on a reduced schedule ourselves.

The New York Times

Most of our favorite series are on break until everyone is back to work, so we have a variety of specials and marathons to keep us occupied through Black Friday and until Cyber Monday.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Women appreciate the benefit of leaving their children in a safe environment, while they work their shift at the factory, and enjoy the opportunity to visit their children when they are on break.

The Guardian

As one department chair put it, referring to visits by prospective faculty: "We would never schedule an interview while students are on break".

Science Magazine

The Polish and Czech pickers that McIntyre hires aren't just saving for grade-school uniforms most are on break from university studies, and the $100-a-day wage they make on average is six times the minimum wage back home.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Both those robberies occurred in February, the latter one while many schools were on break.

The New York Times

The late night correspondents are answering your questions this week while the "Daily Show" is on break.

Huffington Post

Suddenly this winter, the constellation of vacations lined up; one was on break from college, the other from law school.

The New York Times - Travel

And we were on break.

The New Yorker

The aide was on break, the secretary said.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are on break" to clearly indicate that a person or group is currently taking a temporary pause from an activity, work, or relationship. It is widely understood and suitable for most contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "are on break" when referring to a permanent cessation or ending of something. This phrase implies a temporary pause, not a final conclusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are on break" functions as a predicative expression, indicating the state of being temporarily paused from an activity. Ludwig examples demonstrate its usage across diverse contexts, aligned with Ludwig AI's assessment of grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are on break" is a grammatically correct and commonly understood expression used to indicate a temporary pause or interruption. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media and Formal & Business settings. While alternatives like "are taking a break" and "are pausing for now" exist, it's important to use "are on break" accurately to avoid confusion regarding the duration of the pause. Although it is not among the most frequent phrases, "are on break" provides clarity and efficiency in communicating temporary unavailability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are taking a break

This alternative is more explicit about the action of taking a break.

are pausing for now

This alternative is more informal and suggests a short, temporary pause.

are taking time off

This alternative emphasizes the aspect of taking time away from work or other commitments.

are having a recess

This alternative is more formal and often used in professional settings.

are currently resting

This alternative emphasizes the aspect of rest and relaxation during the break.

have a respite

This alternative emphasizes the aspect of gaining relief during the break.

are temporarily suspended

This alternative implies a more official or structured pause.

are enjoying a pause

This alternative highlights the pleasant aspect of taking a break.

are in intermission

This alternative is commonly used in the context of performances or events.

are in a hiatus

This alternative suggests a longer or more indefinite break.

FAQs

How can I use "are on break" in a sentence?

You can use "are on break" to indicate a temporary pause. For example, "The workers "are on break", so the factory is temporarily closed".

What is the difference between "are on break" and "are taking a break"?

While both phrases are similar, "are on break" implies a scheduled or expected pause, whereas "are taking a break" can refer to a more spontaneous decision to pause.

Which is correct, "are on break" or "is on break"?

"Are on break" is used for plural subjects (e.g., "The employees are on break"), while "is on break" is used for singular subjects (e.g., "The employee is on break").

What are some similar phrases to "are on break" that I can use instead?

Alternatives include "are having a recess", "are pausing for now", or "are taking time off" depending on the context.