at breaks

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at breaks" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to specific times or intervals when a pause or interruption occurs, often in the context of work or activities. Example: "Employees are encouraged to take a moment to relax at breaks to recharge their energy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

Thomas, 46, in a gray suit, looked relaxed, smiling occasionally, and at breaks in the questioning of the jurors, laughed with his three lawyers, all of them women.

The New York Times - Sports

At breaks during their dry runs, as they huddled together, my classmates and I would stand close by, just to hear what they were saying.

The New Yorker

The only serious drawback was the use of Steve Lyons as Keith Olbermann's co-star in the pregame studio newsreel and at breaks between innings.

The New York Times - Sports

As Mr. Wadsworth described it in interviews at breaks during rehearsal this month, Mr. Stein's vision was to present a sweeping historic view, an "effort to gather Russian-ness in a series of scenes rushing together".

The New York Times - Arts

For nearly 70 years, beachgoers near Diamond Head and surfers riding the waves at breaks named Cromwell's and Brown's have caught tantalizing glimpses of a mysterious white mansion, a mirage on a hillside above the ocean.

The New York Times - Travel

We seemed -- milling about in the hall at breaks, chatting as we took the slow elevator to the street after a long day of testimony -- to get along perfectly well.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

Elongation-at-break. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.

Progress in Biomaterials

Strain-at-break was also recorded.

Bioresources and Bioprocessing

"I am positively at breaking point.

Independent

Look at break-dancing.

The New York Times - Arts

"GPs are at breaking point.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "at breaks", ensure it clearly refers to designated rest times or pauses within an activity or schedule. Be specific about which breaks you're referencing, especially if there are multiple types of breaks.

Common error

While both are acceptable, "at breaks" implies a more specific location or point in time, while "during breaks" refers to the entire duration of the break. Choose the one that best fits your intended meaning to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at breaks" functions as an adverbial prepositional phrase, specifying when an action or event takes place. Ludwig examples showcase its use in describing activities happening during scheduled pauses, like discussing strategy or relaxing.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

32%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "at breaks" is a grammatically sound and commonly used prepositional phrase indicating the timing of an event. As evidenced by Ludwig, it is frequently found in News & Media and Science. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and suggests that while "at breaks" and "during breaks" are similar, "at breaks" implies a more specific point in time within the break. For clarity, ensure the context makes it clear what type of break is being referenced and consider using synonyms like "during pauses" or "between sessions" for variety. This phrase is appropriate for neutral contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

during pauses

Uses 'pauses' instead of 'breaks', focusing on the temporary stop.

during intervals

Replaces 'breaks' with a more formal synonym, 'intervals'.

during recesses

Substitutes 'breaks' with 'recesses', implying a formal pause.

in the intermissions

Replaces 'breaks' with 'intermissions', often used in the context of performances or events.

at rest periods

Emphasizes the 'rest' aspect of the break.

between sessions

Specifies the break as occurring between structured sessions or meetings.

during downtime

Replaces breaks with downtime that is an informal synonym.

during the respite

Uses 'respite' to indicate a short period of relief or rest.

in the lulls

Substitutes 'breaks' with 'lulls', implying a temporary calm or quiet period.

at halftime

Replaces the term break with halftime, mostly referred on sports context.

FAQs

How can I use "at breaks" in a sentence?

You can use "at breaks" to describe activities that occur during scheduled pauses. For example, "The team discussed strategy "at breaks" during the training session."

What's the difference between "at breaks" and "during breaks"?

"At breaks" suggests a specific moment or location within the break period, whereas "during breaks" refers to the entire time. Using "I eat "at breaks"" implies you eat right when the break starts; "I eat "during breaks"" means you eat sometime in the whole break period.

What are some alternatives to "at breaks"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "during intervals", "during pauses", or "between sessions" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it grammatically correct to say "at breaks"?

Yes, "at breaks" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English. It functions as a prepositional phrase indicating when something occurs.