excuse to pause

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "excuse to pause" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a reason or justification for taking a break or momentary halt in an activity or conversation. Example: "She used the phone call as an excuse to pause the meeting and gather her thoughts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

We soon encountered our first zopkyo jam, a happy excuse to pause and drink in the view as the shaggy black beasts plodded on their way, bells tinkling and red neck ribbons glistening in the sun.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Thus, the book launch offers an excellent excuse to pause, breathe a sigh of relief, and throw a party, almost like the christening of a new ship before its maiden voyage.

Huffington Post

But its demise might be used as an excuse to roll back the single market.A pause for digestionSimilarly, some politicians are using the constitution's troubles to question the EU's expansion to take in new members.

The Economist

It's hard to excuse.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

An excuse to be needed".

The New York Times - Books

An excuse to travel to some purpose!

Independent

(Any excuse to drink gin).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

His excuse to his superiors?

The New York Times

"It's another excuse to drink champagne".

The New Yorker

Bush wanted the excuse to attack Iraq".

Independent

Need one more excuse to go shopping?

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "excuse to pause" when you want to lighten the mood, suggesting that the break is a welcome or even humorous opportunity. This implies that the activity might be intense or continuous, and the pause provides a moment of relief.

Common error

While "excuse to pause" is acceptable, overuse in formal writing can diminish the seriousness of your message. In professional or academic documents, opting for phrases like "reason to interrupt" or "justification for a break" will lend a more appropriate tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "excuse to pause" functions primarily as a purpose connector, indicating a reason or justification for interrupting an activity. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically sound and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

30%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

8%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "excuse to pause" serves as a connector, offering a rationale for taking a break. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, it is considered grammatically correct and suitable for general use. This expression is commonly found in news, media, and wiki sources, indicating a neutral register. When aiming for precision in formal or scientific contexts, more specific alternatives like "reason to take a break" or "justification for a pause" might be more fitting. Ultimately, the expression is useful for lightening the mood when referring to breaks.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reason to take a break

Focuses on the benefit of pausing.

opportunity to stop

Highlights the chance or possibility to halt.

justification for a pause

Emphasizes the validity or reason behind the pause.

pretext for stopping

Suggests a more subtle or possibly deceptive reason for halting.

rationale for a break

Implies a logical or reasoned basis for pausing.

occasion to interrupt

Focuses on an event that causes an activity to be temporarily suspended.

motive for halting

Highlights the underlying motivation behind stopping.

chance to discontinue briefly

Emphasizes the temporary nature of the halt.

incentive to cease temporarily

Highlights a motivating factor for pausing briefly.

opening to suspend activity

Focuses on a favorable moment to stop what you're doing.

FAQs

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

You can use "excuse to pause" to indicate a reason or justification for taking a break. For example, "The long meeting provided an "excuse to pause" and grab a coffee."

What are some alternatives to "excuse to pause"?

Alternatives include phrases like "reason to take a break", "opportunity to stop", or "justification for a pause", depending on the specific context.

Is "excuse to pause" formal or informal?

"Excuse to pause" leans towards being somewhat informal. In more formal settings, consider using phrases like "rationale for a break" or "justification for stopping".

When is it appropriate to use "excuse to pause"?

It is appropriate to use "excuse to pause" when you want to convey a sense of welcome or even humor regarding the break. It works well when the pause is a relief from an otherwise intense or continuous activity.