following a pause

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "following a pause" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something occurs after a brief stop or break in speech or action. Example: "He took a deep breath, following a pause, before continuing with his speech."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

The Fed foresees "a return to moderate economic growth following a pause late last year".

The Guardian - Business

The economy has grown more robustly in recent months — the committee hailed "a return to moderate economic growth following a pause late last year" — and job growth has increased since the Fed began its latest stimulus campaign in September.

The New York Times

Following is the text of the Federal Reserve's statement on Wednesday announcing it was holding its base federal funds target rate at a record low between zero and 0.25 percent: Information received since the Federal Open Market Committee met in January suggests a return to moderate economic growth following a pause late last year.

The New York Times

It shows that, with few exceptions, commodity prices rallied in the days and weeks following a "pause" signal from the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC).

Forbes

Pyle and Elliott ([2006]) suggested that, following a pause of about 60 years, the next lava flow eruption duration might be expected to be similar to that of the 1925 192828 event (i.e. effusive extrusion, perhaps lasting many months or a few years).

Journal of Applied Volcanology

The Federal Open Market Committee released a statement summarizing its day and a half of deliberations, saying it sees "a return to moderate economic growth following a pause late last year.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Yes, said his passenger, and, following a gloomy pause, "Brooklyn ain't what is used to be ten years ago.

The New Yorker

When, at last, each boy finds a target, cringing in the shadows, he lines up a shot and, following a theatrical pause, squeezes the trigger.

The Guardian

One example involved a Google Maps screen appearing on the Fold's smaller front display and then expanding to a larger view when the handset was opened following a one-second pause.

BBC

Five month later following a long combat pause, JG 54 was moved to the south-east to counter the pro-British coup d'état in Belgrade, Yugoslavia.

Wikipedia

An air bubble approximately 7 mm in diameter (∼200 µl in volume) was then introduced within the sample chamber and subjected to cyclic volume (surface area) changes by systematically varying the height of the steel rack following a 5 min pause to allow adsorption to the air-water interface.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "following a pause" to clearly indicate that an action or event occurs directly after a brief cessation. This helps maintain clarity and flow in your writing.

Common error

Avoid overuse of "following a pause" in overly formal or academic writing. While grammatically correct, simpler alternatives like "after a break" might be more appropriate for certain audiences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "following a pause" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating a temporal sequence. It specifies that an event or action occurs directly after a brief interruption or cessation. Ludwig AI shows examples where this is used to describe a return to economic growth or actions taken after a moment of silence.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "following a pause" is a grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to indicate that something occurs directly after a brief interruption or cessation. While Ludwig AI identifies it as correct and usable, its frequency is relatively rare, with occurrences primarily in news and media, as well as scientific contexts. When writing, consider the formality of your context; while "following a pause" is appropriate in many situations, simpler alternatives might be preferable in very informal settings. Be aware that it is a good method to add clarity on when a certain action is taking place.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

after a temporary stop

Directly indicates a halt that is not permanent.

after a break

Emphasizes a temporary interruption rather than a complete stop.

after an interruption

Highlights that something was disrupted before resuming.

subsequent to a lull

More formal, implies a period of quiet or inactivity.

following a cessation

Highlights the ending of something before the next action.

post-hiatus

Implies a more significant or planned break.

after a respite

Suggests a period of rest or relief before continuing.

after a standstill

Implies a complete lack of movement or progress.

after a moment of silence

Specifically refers to a pause characterized by silence.

once the silence ended

Focuses on the breaking of silence as the point of resumption.

FAQs

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

You can use "following a pause" to indicate something that happens directly after a brief stop or break. For example, "Following a pause, the speaker continued with their presentation."

What are some alternatives to "following a pause"?

Some alternatives include "after a break", "after a moment of silence", or "after an interruption". Consider alternatives like "after a break" depending on the context.

Is it ever incorrect to use "following a pause"?

While grammatically correct, "following a pause" might sound slightly formal in very informal contexts. In such cases, "after a quick break" might be more suitable.

What's the difference between "following a pause" and "after a pause"?

Both phrases are similar, but "following a pause" can subtly imply a more direct and immediate sequence of events compared to "after a pause".