fleeting pause

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fleeting pause" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a brief moment of stillness or silence before action or speech resumes. Example: "There was a fleeting pause before she answered, as if she were carefully considering her words."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Flashes of Henry Mancini's easy listening classic Moon River for example, or a fleeting pause for the heroine – a modern witch – to smile in slow motion to camera.

The Guardian - Tech

The only sound in the room was the voice of Mr. Broadbent announcing the bids, which, after another fleeting pause, at sixty-eight thousand pounds, spiralled upward without hesitation through the seventies and eighties.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

I took a momentary (very momentary, I should probably say 'fleeting') pause to come up for air from this wonderful meal to ask them how they--as proud Hungarians--found the food in Vienna to compare to that of Budapest.

Huffington Post

Khan's family were on their feet in the tenth when his fleeting left-rights paused Kotelnik momentarily, and that was yet another round for the contender.

The Guardian - Sport

You – at any rate I – realise for the first time just how stylised "realistic" stage dialogue is, how effectively a confident delivery can disguise incoherence, how a rich vocabulary can triumph over broken syntax, how much the meaning of a speech is carried or contradicted by pausing, gesture, fleeting facial expression or a blank stare.

The Guardian

Performing from memory, Mr. Cohen seemed to view the collection as a single, prismatic composition, scarcely pausing between one fleeting impression and the next.

The New York Times

Some are so fleeting that they become apparent only by pausing a video recording of the show.

Wikipedia

Fleeting images were being verbally expressed as the music therapist continued to play, pause and allow Molly to respond to the music in real time.

Huffington Post

Age: Fleeting.

The Guardian

Too fleeting!

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Successes are often fleeting.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fleeting pause" to create a sense of anticipation or dramatic effect before resuming an action or dialogue. It adds a touch of suspense or thoughtfulness.

Common error

Avoid using "fleeting pause" too frequently in action-packed scenes, as it can disrupt the flow and diminish the sense of urgency. Opt for more dynamic descriptions instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fleeting pause" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "fleeting" modifies the noun "pause". It describes a brief, often unnoticed interruption in activity or speech. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its descriptive usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

16%

Reference

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fleeting pause" is a grammatically correct and usable expression in English. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes a brief moment of stillness or silence. While examples are rare, the phrase appears in reputable sources like The Guardian and The New Yorker, indicating its acceptance in formal writing. Its purpose is to emphasize the brevity and transience of a pause, adding a subtle nuance to descriptions. When writing, use it sparingly in fast-paced narratives to avoid disrupting the flow, and consider alternatives like "brief hesitation" or "momentary silence" for varied expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fleeting silence

Replaces pause with its sound-related equivalent silence to express the brevity.

brief hesitation

Emphasizes the hesitating nature of the pause rather than its quickness.

momentary silence

Highlights the absence of sound during the pause.

quick break

Suggests a short interruption in an activity.

brief cessation

A more formal way of saying a short stop or pause.

split-second lull

Emphasizes the extreme brevity of the pause.

transient interruption

Focuses on the temporary nature of the interruption.

momentary suspension

Emphasizes the interruption of an ongoing process or activity.

passing respite

Implies a temporary relief or break from something.

short intermission

Similar to a quick break, often used in the context of performances or events.

FAQs

How can I use "fleeting pause" in a sentence?

You can use "fleeting pause" to describe a brief moment of silence or stillness before an action or speech resumes. For example, "There was a fleeting pause before she answered, as if she were carefully considering her words."

What are some alternatives to "fleeting pause"?

Alternatives include "brief hesitation", "momentary silence", or "quick break" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "fleeting pause" formal or informal?

"Fleeting pause" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it may be more common in written narratives or descriptive passages than in casual conversation.

What does "fleeting pause" emphasize compared to "brief pause"?

"Fleeting pause" emphasizes the very short duration of the pause, suggesting that it is almost imperceptible. "Brief pause" (/s/brief+pause) is a more general term for a short interruption.