gave me pause

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gave me pause" is grammatically correct and frequently used in written English.
It means to cause one to stop and think or consider carefully before taking action. One possible example of using this phrase in written English could be: "The unexpected news of her resignation gave me pause. I couldn't help but reflect on the impact of her departure on our team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

That gave me pause.

The New York Times - Magazine

Which gave me pause.

The Guardian

This gave me pause.

The New York Times - Sports

This especially gave me pause.

The New York Times

Still, it gave me pause.

The Washington Post

A couple of things gave me pause.

The New York Times

Okay, that did gave me pause.

The New York Times

Yet the project gave me pause.

The New Yorker

"It gave me pause," Dr. Caplan said.

The New York Times - Tech

His reply gave me pause for thought.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Hearing this story for the first time gave me pause.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gave me pause" when you want to express that something caused you to briefly stop and think about its implications. It's suitable for conveying a moment of reflection or doubt.

Common error

Avoid using "gave me pause" for insignificant or trivial situations. This phrase suggests a moment of genuine consideration, so reserve it for instances where deeper thought or reflection is involved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gave me pause" functions as an idiomatic expression indicating that something caused a moment of hesitation or reflection. It's often used to introduce a statement of uncertainty or reconsideration. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its use in context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Academia

9%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "gave me pause" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate that something prompted a moment of hesitation or reflection. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage, and the numerous examples provided by Ludwig demonstrate its versatility across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While alternatives exist, "gave me pause" effectively signals a shift in thought or a moment of doubt, preparing the audience for further explanation. Remember to reserve this expression for situations where genuine consideration is involved.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

made me hesitate

Focuses on the hesitation aspect, highlighting a brief pause or delay in action or thought.

caused me to reflect

Emphasizes deeper contemplation and consideration of the implications.

made me think twice

Highlights the reconsideration of a decision or opinion.

prompted my consideration

Stresses the initiation of a thought process or evaluation.

led me to reconsider

Indicates a change in perspective due to new information or circumstances.

gave me food for thought

Highlights that something has sparked further reflection or contemplation

made me stop and think

Highlights the act of pausing one's activity and engaging in thought

occasioned my reflection

Highlights the reflection caused by a specific circumstance

made me question

Emphasizes doubt or uncertainty about something

instilled doubt

Highlights the introduction of uncertainty in belief or judgment

FAQs

What does the phrase "gave me pause" mean?

The phrase "gave me pause" means something caused you to stop and think carefully about it, often due to uncertainty or concern.

How can I use "gave me pause" in a sentence?

You can use "gave me pause" to describe a situation that made you reconsider or reflect. For example, "The details of the contract "gave me pause", and I decided to consult a lawyer."

What can I say instead of "gave me pause"?

You can use alternatives like "made me hesitate", "caused me to reflect", or "made me think twice depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "gives me pause" instead of "gave me pause"?

Yes, both are correct, but they indicate different tenses. "Gave me pause" refers to something that happened in the past, while "gives me pause" refers to something that is happening now or is a general truth.