in recess

USAGE SUMMARY

"in recess" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe a situation in which a task or activity has been temporarily suspended. For example, "The court is in recess for lunch."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Congress was dissolved, right-wing parties were declared "in recess" and left-wing organisations were banned.

The Economist

Congress was in recess.

The New York Times

Parliament was in recess.

The Guardian

Congress has been in recess for weeks.

The Economist

Congress is in recess until Nov. 12.

The New York Times

Congress is in recess until June 4.

The New York Times

The court will be in recess.

The New York Times

In Washington, Congress is in recess.

The New York Times

Congress is in recess until September.

The New York Times

The Senate will be in recess.

The Guardian - Books

Because the Senate will be in recess until Jan.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about governmental bodies or formal organizations, "in recess" is more appropriate than informal alternatives like "on break".

Common error

Avoid using "in recess" when you mean something is permanently stopped or concluded. "In recess" implies a temporary pause, not a final termination. For permanent closures, use terms like "adjourned sine die" or "dissolved".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in recess" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a noun or verb to indicate a state of temporary suspension or pause. Ludwig shows many examples where this phrase is used to describe the status of institutions like Congress or courts when they are not actively in session.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in recess" is a prepositional phrase that denotes a temporary break or suspension, primarily used in formal contexts such as government, law, and official proceedings. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. The phrase's register ranges from neutral to formal. Given its frequent appearance in reputable news outlets like The New York Times and The Economist, "in recess" serves as a reliable and authoritative way to indicate that an institution or activity is temporarily paused. Its primary function is to inform and explain the current status of various entities, ensuring clarity in formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in adjournment

Replaces "recess" with "adjournment", which is a formal term for postponing or suspending a meeting or session.

in intermission

Replaces "recess" with "intermission", suggesting a pause, particularly in a performance or event. The similarity score is slightly lower due to the context-specific nature of "intermission".

in abeyance

Substitutes "recess" with "abeyance", meaning a state of temporary disuse or suspension. It is more formal and often used for laws or rights.

on hiatus

Uses "hiatus" instead of "recess", which means a pause or gap in a sequence, series, or process.

not in session

Replaces the original expression with a negative phrase indicating that the activity is not currently taking place.

on break

Replaces the more formal term "in recess" with the more common expression "on break", signifying a temporary pause from work or activity.

temporarily suspended

Replaces the entire phrase with a descriptive term, emphasizing the temporary nature of the pause.

in suspension

Replaces "recess" with "suspension", implying a temporary interruption or cessation of something, often due to rules or regulations.

on hold

Uses "on hold" instead of "in recess", signifying a temporary interruption in an activity or process.

in respite

Substitutes "recess" with "respite", referring to a short period of rest or relief from something difficult or unpleasant.

FAQs

How to use "in recess" in a sentence?

You can use "in recess" to indicate a temporary break or suspension, for instance, "The court is "in recess" until 2 PM", or "Congress will be "in recess" for the summer".

What can I say instead of "in recess"?

You can use alternatives like "on break", "in adjournment", or "temporarily suspended" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "on recess" instead of "in recess"?

While "on recess" might be understood in informal contexts, the standard and more formal expression is ""in recess"". Using "in" is generally preferred, especially in formal writing.

What's the difference between "in recess" and "in abeyance"?

"In recess" typically refers to a temporary break in a formal session or meeting. "In abeyance" suggests a temporary suspension or inactivity, often of a law, claim, or right. The former is more specific to sessions, while the latter is broader.