by pausing to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by pausing to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone is taking a moment to stop and reflect or consider something before proceeding. Example: "By pausing to think about the consequences, she made a more informed decision."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

A dog wandered by, pausing to let out a yowl.

The New Yorker

The dying, the patients doctors drift by, pausing to peek in, moving on.

The New York Times - Health

By pausing to drone on about walnut oil, he may be pushing his luck.

The Guardian - Opinion

We mitigate the physicality of speaking by pausing to think, or listening, or catching our breath.

The New Yorker

Let us commemorate the anniversary of 9/11 by pausing to reflect and meditate and tone down the vitriol and rhetoric that serves only to strengthen the radicals and weaken our friends' belief in our values.

The New York Times

My suggestion is this: we stop ourselves from writing what we have to write by pausing to fret over details and risks, and by filtering ourselves through subconscious juries.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Passers-by paused to admire them.

The New York Times

Passers-by paused to look at themselves against the backdrop of the empty sea in Rachel Valdés Camejo's mirror installation, "Happily Ever After No. 1," and to puzzle before "Nobody Listens," by Alexandre Arrechea, a sculptural aluminum tree of ears that get smaller and smaller as they approach the top.

The New York Times - Arts

This was the sort of book, I supposed, that would build its meanings sentence by sentence, pausing to gather itself together again after every period.

The New York Times - Books

"We read it to him very slowly," Agent Gaudin recalled, "sentence by sentence, pausing to have eye contact with him to see if he was getting confused".

The New York Times

As they brush by, occasionally pausing to touch a shoulder or lean on someone's back while expelling a palpable breath, the action bubbles up, swirls and dissipates.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure that the action following "by pausing to" is directly related to the reason for the pause. This creates a clear cause-and-effect relationship in your writing.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "by pausing to" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Consider using simpler alternatives like "stopping to" or "taking a moment to" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by pausing to" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces an action taken as a result of a brief interruption. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It specifies the manner in which an outcome is achieved.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "by pausing to" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed prepositional phrase used to indicate a deliberate interruption that leads to a specific action or result. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage in formal writing. While its register leans toward neutral to professional, it is commonly found in News & Media, Science and Business contexts, emphasizing intentionality and reflection before acting. When seeking alternatives, consider phrases like "by taking a moment to" or "by stopping to" for a similar meaning, though these alternatives may be more appropriate for less formal situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

by taking a moment to

Focuses on the act of taking time, emphasizing the conscious decision to allocate time for something.

by stopping to

Highlights the cessation of movement or activity as a means to achieve a different goal.

by taking the time to

Emphasizes the dedication of time and effort towards a specific action or consideration.

by making a point of

Indicates a deliberate and intentional effort to do something.

by considering

Emphasizes the act of thinking carefully about something before acting.

by reflecting on

Focuses on deep contemplation and consideration of past events or ideas.

by taking a break to

Highlights the act of interrupting an activity for a specific purpose.

by ceasing momentarily to

Formal alternative that means ceasing an activity for a short period.

by interrupting the process to

Emphasis is on the break in a process to perform a separate action.

by affording oneself the opportunity to

Highlights the act of granting oneself a chance for something.

FAQs

How can I use "by pausing to" in a sentence?

You can use "by pausing to" to indicate a deliberate interruption for a specific action, like, "She improved her decision-making "by pausing to" consider all options."

What are some alternatives to "by pausing to"?

Some alternatives include "by taking a moment to", "by stopping to", or "by taking the time to", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "by pausing to" and "by stopping to"?

"By pausing to" suggests a brief and intentional interruption, while "by stopping to" implies a more complete cessation of activity. The choice depends on whether the interruption is brief or more substantial.

Is "pausing to" formal language?

"Pausing to" itself isn't inherently formal, but using ""by pausing to"" often adds a layer of formality due to the inclusion of "by." Simpler phrases may be more appropriate for informal contexts.