careful pause

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "careful pause" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a deliberate and thoughtful moment of silence or hesitation before speaking or acting. Example: "After a careful pause, she finally decided to share her thoughts on the matter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

A careful pause.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

He spoke in bunched sentences, with careful pauses between, and frequently referred to his wife to help with the translation.

The Guardian

But Harper's careful pauses before every response make her reassurances suspect, as Ms. McDormand's brilliant, fractionally precise timing turns the everyday into a brush with the apocalypse.

The New York Times

They are partially annalistic and thus firsthand accounts of pharaonic or other high-level deeds; but the peculiar features of stylization, stereotyping, and usurpation must frequently give the careful historian pause and sometimes debase the face value of the record.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"We can't sell and get something better because we'll take such a huge loss," said Mr. Nakashima, a serious man who recounts his story with careful precision, sometimes pausing to check dates.

The New York Times

About 1 45 P.M. after lunch; a little pause, being careful not to fall asleep: I should be going to Foligno to BCSNet to pick up a connection script to use with FreePPP etc.: I spoke with BCSNet's Macintosh guy Mr. Bellini at 10 this morning.

University of Chicago

One careful step followed by a pause.

The Guardian - Books

Following the nuns' example, we took long, careful strides with a dramatic pause in the middle -- a stride I remembered from high school graduation.

The New York Times - Travel

She talks in slow, careful sentences with lots of pauses.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Well, let me be careful about this," he said, pausing once more.

The New York Times - Magazine

The best thing that happened this week was that the policy process paused for a careful consideration of military options.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Employ "careful pause" when describing situations that require thoughtful consideration and avoidance of rash decisions.

Common error

Avoid overuse of "careful pause", as it can disrupt the flow of writing. Use it sparingly to maximize its impact and prevent it from becoming predictable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "careful pause" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "careful" modifies the noun "pause". As shown in Ludwig, it often describes a deliberate silence before speaking or acting.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "careful pause" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that describes a deliberate and thoughtful moment of silence or hesitation. According to Ludwig, it signifies measured consideration before action or speech. While not extremely common, it appears across various contexts, including news media, academic writing, and encyclopedias. Alternative phrases like "deliberate pause" or "thoughtful pause" can be used to convey similar meanings. Using "careful pause" sparingly is key to maximizing its impact. The analysis shows that the phrase is used in situations where caution and thoughtfulness are paramount.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deliberate pause

Focuses on the intentional aspect of the pause.

thoughtful pause

Emphasizes the consideration behind the pause.

measured silence

Highlights the controlled nature of the silence.

studied hesitation

Suggests a more calculated or affected pause.

considered break

Implies a deliberate interruption for reflection.

reflective pause

Indicates the pause is used for reflection.

circumspect pause

Highlights caution during the pause.

guarded silence

Implies reservation or secrecy during the silence.

tactical silence

Suggests the silence is used as a strategy.

strategic pause

Highlights the intended outcome during the pause.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "careful pause" in my writing?

Use "careful pause" to highlight moments of deliberation, suspense, or when a character is weighing their options before making a decision. It adds depth and realism to the narrative.

What are some alternatives to using "careful pause"?

You can use alternatives like "deliberate pause", "thoughtful pause", or "measured silence" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "careful pause" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "careful pause" is suitable for formal writing, especially when describing situations that require thoughtful consideration or strategic planning. However, consider the tone and context to ensure it aligns with the overall style.

What's the difference between "careful pause" and "hesitation"?

"Careful pause" implies a deliberate and thoughtful break, while "hesitation" suggests uncertainty or reluctance. A "careful pause" is often strategic, whereas hesitation may stem from doubt or indecision.