brief interruption

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "brief interruption" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a short pause or break in an ongoing activity or conversation. Example: "There was a brief interruption during the meeting when the fire alarm went off."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A Brief Interruption A streaker interrupted play on Court 14 during a doubles match between the teams of Anna Kournikova and Natasha Zvereva and Amy Frazier and Katie Schlukebir.

The New York Times - Sports

The interrupter technique measures changes in mouth pressure after a brief interruption of airflow at the mouth.

British Medical Journal

Yet this was a brief interruption in Swansea's dictation of the play.

The Guardian - Sport

Thompson, after her brief interruption, got back into character and continued to do her thing, which, in Viv's histrionic mood, was to cause more trouble.

The New Yorker

He discovered it while on a trip to Spain with Chan, whom he has been dating, with a brief interruption, since 2003.

The New Yorker

Thanks to the brief interruption of last year's Best of Booker Prize, the chronology of this trawl through past Booker winners has been warped.

The Guardian - Books

Stock prices gyrated in heavy trading yesterday but finished with sizable losses, deepening the slide that has prevailed with only brief interruption since early September.

The New York Times

After a brief interruption occasioned by the passing of other candidates ("Thanks, Barack…Thanks, Dennis"), she ended with an emphatic, "Our guys should talk".

The New Yorker

Trudeau's victory speech omitted any mention of his flamboyant father Pierre who led Canada from 1968 to 1984 with one brief interruption.

The Guardian

Zico played for Flamengo from 1971 to 1990, scoring 568 goals in 765 games, with only a brief interruption at Udinese in Italy.

The Guardian - Sport

It might also end the Liberal Democrats' long hold on power, which has lasted five decades with only a brief interruption.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing events or processes, use "brief interruption" to clearly indicate a short-lived pause that doesn't significantly alter the overall course.

Common error

Avoid using "brief interruption" excessively in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise terms like "short suspension" or "temporary cessation" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "brief interruption" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a preposition or a subject complement. It describes a temporary cessation or pause, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

28%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "brief interruption" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to denote a short pause or cessation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and frequent occurrence across varied contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias. While versatile, it's best to use more formal alternatives like "temporary suspension" in academic or highly formal writing. Remember to use it to clearly indicate a short-lived pause that does not significantly alter the overall course of an event or process.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

short pause

This alternative is more concise and focuses on the brevity of the pause.

temporary cessation

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the temporary nature of the stopping.

fleeting pause

This alternative highlights the quickness and insignificance of the pause.

short suspension

This alternative suggests a temporary halting, often in a more formal setting.

momentary hiatus

This alternative is slightly more literary and emphasizes a break in continuity.

quick intermission

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

slight disruption

This alternative focuses on the disruptive aspect of the pause, even if brief.

passing break

This alternative underlines the short duration and transitional nature of the break.

transient pause

This alternative emphasizes the ephemeral quality of the interruption.

minor lull

This alternative suggests a brief period of calmness or inactivity.

FAQs

How can I use "brief interruption" in a sentence?

You can use "brief interruption" to describe a short pause in an activity. For example, "The meeting continued after a brief interruption caused by a fire alarm".

What are some alternatives to "brief interruption"?

Alternatives include "short pause", "temporary cessation", or "fleeting pause" depending on the specific context.

Is "brief interruption" formal or informal?

"Brief interruption" is generally suitable for neutral contexts. In very formal settings, consider alternatives like "temporary suspension".

What's the difference between "brief interruption" and "major disruption"?

"Brief interruption" indicates a short, often insignificant pause, whereas "major disruption" implies a significant disturbance that can have lasting effects.