call for a break

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "call for a break" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when suggesting that it is time to take a pause or rest during an activity or meeting. Example: "After working for several hours straight, I think it's time to call for a break to recharge our energy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"Periodically, members of the committee would call for a break and there would be some updated information provided on the status of our troops' entry into Iraq and how far they'd gotten," she said.

The New York Times

It is unclear whether the proposal meets Abbas's call for a break with the tried and failed framework of negotiations – with Washington holding a grip on mediation – particularly since what was seen as a partisan pro-Israel speech by Barack Obama to the UN on Wednesday.

The Guardian

And now you say give more freedom to the press?!" Source said that Jafarli then slapped Ahmedinejad in the face, causing an uproar and an immediate call for a break in the meeting, which was never resumed.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The parliament is poised to call for a break-up of Google in an attempt to drastically escalate Europe's long-running anti-trust case against the US search giant, according to a draft motion.

The Guardian - Tech

Tokyo's measures come amid proposals to create a government agency devoted to decommissioning the Fukushima plant and as some outside the government call for a break-up of the operator, Tokyo Electric Power Co, or Tepco.

Huffington Post

Sutton called for a break.

The New Yorker

Mr. Phillips called for a break.

The New York Times - Arts

At the United Nations war crimes tribunal in The Hague, Judge Almiro Rodrigues of Portugal called for a break.

The New York Times

Even Clinton is not calling for a break in hostilities, which the Americans see as the way to drive the Taliban to the bargaining table.

The New York Times - Magazine

The Conservatives have already called for a break up of banks that are "too big to fail" and signalled a willingness to dismantle Lloyds Banking Group and Royal Bank of Scotland.

The Guardian - Business

Near the end of the retelling of her ordeal, the forensics team arrived, and Bosch called for a break in the questioning.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "call for a break" in formal settings, ensure it's appropriate and doesn't undermine the seriousness of the context. Consider alternatives like "request a recess" for more formal situations.

Common error

Avoid using "call for a break" repeatedly in formal reports or academic papers. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives such as "propose an adjournment" or "suggest a temporary suspension" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "call for a break" functions as a request or suggestion to pause an activity. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It is commonly used to interrupt an event and allow for a short lapse.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "call for a break" is a grammatically correct and understandable way to suggest a temporary pause. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is usable in written English. While its frequency is rare, it is most commonly found in news and media contexts. In more formal settings, it's advisable to use alternatives like "request a recess" or "suggest an intermission". The choice between "call for a break" and its alternatives depends on the desired level of formality and the specific context of the communication. Always ensure appropriateness when employing this phrase in professional situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

request a recess

Replaces "call" with "request" and "break" with "recess", implying a formal pause.

suggest an intermission

Uses "suggest" instead of "call", and "intermission" specifies a mid-event pause.

propose a time-out

Replaces "call" with "propose" and "break" with the more specific "time-out".

advocate a pause

Replaces the entire phrase with a more concise expression using "advocate".

recommend a respite

Substitutes "call for" with "recommend" and "break" with "respite", indicating temporary relief.

urge a halt

Uses "urge" to express a strong request for a stop, replacing "call for a break".

plead for a breather

Emphasizes the need for rest by using "plead" and replaces "break" with "breather".

demand a cessation

Conveys a forceful request for stopping using "demand" and "cessation".

insist on a temporary suspension

More formally suggests halting an action through the use of "insist on a temporary suspension".

table the discussion

Indicates a temporary postponement of the discussion

FAQs

What does "call for a break" mean?

The phrase "call for a break" means to request or suggest a temporary pause or interruption in an activity, meeting, or other ongoing event.

What can I say instead of "call for a break"?

You can use alternatives like "request a recess", "suggest an intermission", or "propose a time out" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to "call for a break"?

It's appropriate to "call for a break" when participants need a rest, to address emerging issues, or to allow for informal discussion during a long activity. It is more appropriate in neutral situations.

Is "call for a break" formal or informal?

The phrase "call for a break" is generally considered neutral but leans towards informal. In professional settings, consider using more formal alternatives such as "request a recess" or "propose an adjournment".