in pause

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in pause" is correct and usable in written English.
It refers to a period of time where something is stopped, delayed or suspended. For example, "The project was put in pause due to budget cuts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

THE stock market has been in pause mode for 135 days.

The New York Times

"I like to say that I'm in pause mode," Ms. Seo said.

The New York Times

When a French baby cries in the night the parents go in, pause, and observe for a few minutes.

The Guardian - Books

"The overall economy is in pause mode right now, and it does mean that foreign investment has disappeared," said Mr. Le Febvre of Triago.

The New York Times

"We're in pause, and we can't hit play to move forward," said Jennifer Morales, the group's vice president of public relations.

The New York Times

He deftly calculated the emotive impact of his singing across the cycle's duration; midway through, when he sang of his "burden of joy" (in "Pause"), you felt that even the protagonist sensed what was coming, yet pursued cruel love all the same.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

Some groups used for instance the built-in pause function in order to temporarily "put the VP in standby" when current discussions became more intensive and/or required more thoughtful argumentation.

BMC Medical Education

By design, the approach was slow, with built-in pauses.

The New York Times - Science

He leaned in, pausing purposefully.

The New York Times - Arts

Darrin became physically ill in pauses during taping.

The New York Times - Arts

The MPC was justified in pausing the policy to try to see what is going on.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in pause", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being paused and why. This enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "in pause" in casual conversation where simpler terms like "on hold" or "taking a break" would be more appropriate. It tends to sound overly formal in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in pause" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, often modifying a verb or noun to indicate a temporary state of inactivity or suspension. Ludwig examples show it describing a market or an economy that has stopped its momentum.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in pause" is a grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to describe a state of temporary cessation or suspension. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid and understandable expression. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science contexts, its usage indicates a neutral to formal register. While phrases like "on hold" might be more common in informal settings, "in pause" offers a clear and precise way to describe something that has been temporarily stopped, often with the anticipation of resuming later. Remember to use "in pause" when you want to emphasize the state of being paused, as opposed to the action of pausing something.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in a state of suspension

This alternative highlights the temporary cessation of activity, similar to something being hung or halted.

temporarily halted

This option explicitly states the temporary nature of the stop, emphasizing the action of halting.

on hold

This phrase suggests a planned and temporary stop, often with the intention of resuming later.

in abeyance

This alternative is more formal and indicates a temporary suspension, often in legal or procedural contexts.

in a lull

This phrase emphasizes a period of quiet or inactivity, suggesting a calmer state than a complete stop.

under moratorium

This suggests a formally declared temporary prohibition or suspension.

in intermission

Similar to a break or pause during a performance.

in stasis

Implies a state of inactivity or equilibrium.

in suspended animation

Suggests a state of temporary cessation of vital processes, implying a return to activity later.

in dormancy

This term is often used in biological contexts, suggesting a period of inactivity or reduced activity.

FAQs

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

You can use "in pause" to describe a temporary cessation or interruption of an activity or process, for example: "The stock market has been in pause mode" or "The project was put in pause due to budget cuts".

What's a more common way to express the same idea as "in pause"?

While "in pause" is grammatically correct, phrases like "on hold", "temporarily suspended", or "halted" may be more frequently used in certain contexts.

Is it correct to say "put on pause" instead of "in pause"?

Both "put on pause" and "in pause" are acceptable, but they have slightly different nuances. "Put on pause" emphasizes the action of pausing something, while "in pause" describes the state of being paused.

What are some formal alternatives to "in pause"?

For formal contexts, consider using "in abeyance" or "under moratorium". These options are more suited to legal, procedural, or official communications.