come to a pause

USAGE SUMMARY

"come to a pause" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe when something like a conversation, speech, or train of thought is interrupted or stopped. For example, "As he was making his point, he came to a pause, taking a moment to collect his thoughts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Unknown

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"The pickup in economic activity has come to a pause," the Bank of Japan said in a statement.

The New York Times

That would once again have threatened Japan's wobbly banks and its weakening economy, which the central bank admitted (on the very same day that traders were rushing to buy shares) had "come to a pause".The stockmarket was excited about two bits of news, which it hopes are related.

The Economist

My interview has come to a pause and we give our undivided attention to the yelling beast.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

At this point, the class came to a pause.

The New York Times - Magazine

Again and again, he comes to a pause, holding his hands near his face in mimelike gestures — except that his gestures don't communicate; they serve only to reveal his need to shut himself off in private space.

The New York Times - Arts

When, at last, Giuliani came to a pause, I began again to ask him about the National Intelligence Estimate, but before the words could leave my mouth, something else occurred to him.

The New York Times - Magazine

When occasionally she comes to a pause in London, Mitchell works in a featureless room up a narrow, low-ceilinged staircase in a row of old warehouses near Elephant and Castle.

The Guardian

Walking through Times Square this week, Rachel Hanson, 20, who was in New York on vacation from South Dakota, came to a pause as she saw one of the billboards that showed an Asian woman surfing, a rock climber with a prosthetic limb and a black man singing in a recording studio.

Huffington Post

Moving along, we come to a dying figure, pause, then go to the next berth, where a fellow has a shave.

The New Yorker

Why do Dave and I look like the man from the Ministry of Silly Walks when we come to a natural jogging pause?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It will allow the vehicle to come to a complete stop, pause, and then return to freeway speed, without asking the driver for any accelerator or brake pedal input.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "come to a pause" to describe a temporary interruption or cessation in an activity, conversation, or process. For instance, "The negotiations came to a pause while both sides considered the new proposal."

Common error

Avoid using "come to a pause" when you mean a permanent ending or conclusion. "Come to a pause" implies a temporary suspension, not a final termination.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "come to a pause" functions as a verbal phrase indicating a temporary cessation or interruption of an activity or process. Ludwig AI confirms that this is a correct and usable phrase. Examples in Ludwig illustrate its use in describing interruptions in conversations, economic activity and even physical movement.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

33%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "come to a pause" is a grammatically correct and usable expression indicating a temporary interruption. Ludwig AI confirms this. While its frequency is uncommon, it appears in reputable sources such as The New York Times and The Economist. It's most commonly found in News & Media contexts. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects a temporary, rather than permanent, cessation. Alternatives like "pause" or "come to a standstill" may be suitable depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pause

A shorter, more direct way of expressing a temporary stop.

come to a standstill

Emphasizes a complete halt in movement or activity.

come to a stop

Focuses on the cessation of movement.

be interrupted

Highlights the disruption of an ongoing process.

be suspended

Suggests a temporary holding back or deferral.

be terminated

Implies a more definite end, though still potentially temporary.

reach a hiatus

Suggests a break or gap in a sequence of events.

be delayed

Indicates a postponement or retardation.

be adjourned

Commonly used in formal settings like meetings to indicate a temporary suspension.

take a breather

An informal way to describe taking a temporary break or pause.

FAQs

How can I use "come to a pause" in a sentence?

You can use "come to a pause" to describe a temporary interruption or cessation in something, such as a conversation or an activity. For example: "The meeting "came to a pause" while we waited for the documents to arrive."

What are some alternatives to "come to a pause"?

Some alternatives to "come to a pause" include "come to a standstill", "be interrupted", or simply "pause", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "came to a pause" or "come to a pause"?

Both "came to a pause" and "come to a pause" are grammatically correct. "Came" is the past tense of "come", so use "came" when referring to something that happened in the past. Use "come" when referring to the present or future.

What's the difference between "come to a pause" and "come to a stop"?

"Come to a pause" typically implies a temporary interruption in activity, while "come to a stop" suggests a complete cessation of movement or action. The phrase "come to a halt" can be used in a similar way.