intermission

USAGE SUMMARY

"intermission" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a noun that describes a short break between periods of activity, usually in the context of a concert, theater show, or similar event. An example sentence would be: "The director gave the audience a 10-minute intermission to stretch their legs before the second act began."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In the end, in a classic congressional farce, there was a brief intermission in the NSA's data-gathering capabilities, after which the Senate passed a bill to end the agency's bulk collection of the phone records of millions of Americans.

The Guardian - Tech

Enjoy the intermission.

The Guardian - Sport

Yet he told J.M. Barrie that he smoked cigarettes "without intermission except when coughing or kissing".

The Economist

During the intermission, before reconvening for the second year, it was time for my class to disperse across the word on an array of internships.

The Economist

Without direct NATO aid, Mr Poroshenko felt forced to make a deal.In this section The eight-year itch Rétropédalage You Kant do that After Tusk Secularists at bay A brief intermission A Teutonic union ReprintsIn the short term this will seem like a victory for Moscow.

The Economist

The halo of Mr Tusk's new job has already given Civic Platform a boost: one poll found it leaping by ten points to overtake Law and Justice, for the first time in a while.In this section The eight-year itch Rétropédalage You Kant do that After Tusk Secularists at bay A brief intermission A Teutonic union ReprintsThe government has big gaps to fill.

The Economist

Mr Oettinger's work will also be overseen by a vice-president: Andrus Ansip, from tiny Estonia.In this section The eight-year itch Rétropédalage You Kant do that After Tusk Secularists at bay A brief intermission A Teutonic union ReprintsBut German influence may be detected in subtler form.

The Economist

Few Swedes need now to flee into tax exile.In this section The eight-year itch Rétropédalage You Kant do that After Tusk Secularists at bay A brief intermission A Teutonic union ReprintsYet the voters seem ungrateful.

The Economist

"The past three years have seen a marked shift towards greater Islamic influence over education," says Batuhan Aydagul, an education analyst.In this section The eight-year itch Rétropédalage You Kant do that After Tusk Secularists at bay A brief intermission A Teutonic union ReprintsIn Mr Erdogan's Turkey, praying five times a day and observing Ramadan are pluses.

The Economist

Such a policy would be at the expense of European taxpayers, who would have to pay for the losses incurred by the ECB .In this section The eight-year itch Rétropédalage You Kant do that After Tusk Secularists at bay A brief intermission A Teutonic union ReprintsMainstream views in Germany are diverging from those elsewhere in the euro zone and in Anglo-Saxon countries.

The Economist

"Slow, dull, no joy in it at all," he announced at intermission.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "intermission" when referring to a scheduled break in a performance, event, or activity. It implies a planned pause, as opposed to an unexpected interruption.

Common error

Avoid using "intermission" when describing an unscheduled or unexpected break. "Interruption" is more appropriate for unforeseen pauses.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "intermission" is as a noun. Ludwig's examples show it referring to planned breaks in performances or periods of activity. As a noun, it can serve as the subject or object of a sentence, indicating a specific time or space.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "intermission" is a noun denoting a temporary break, most commonly used in the context of performances and events. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and highlights its frequent occurrence in news, encyclopedias and business contexts. When using "intermission", ensure it refers to a planned pause rather than an unexpected interruption. Alternatives include ""break"" or "pause", depending on the context. Ludwig's examples showcase its application across various domains, making it a versatile and well-understood term.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

break

A more general term for a pause in activity, applicable in broader contexts than "intermission".

pause

Similar to "break", but emphasizes a temporary cessation rather than a structured interval.

recess

Specifically refers to a break, particularly in an academic setting.

hiatus

Suggests a longer or more significant break, often in a career or project.

time out

Implies a temporary suspension of activity, often for disciplinary or strategic reasons.

lull

Refers to a temporary period of calm or inactivity during a period of turbulence or activity.

suspension

Implies a temporary halting or stopping of something.

respite

Offers a brief period of rest or relief from something difficult or unpleasant.

interruption

Signifies a disturbance or break in the continuity of an activity or event.

temporary cessation

A more formal and descriptive way to refer to a pause or break.

FAQs

How to use "intermission" in a sentence?

You can use "intermission" to describe a break in a play, concert, or other event. For example, "The audience used the "break" to stretch their legs and get refreshments".

What can I say instead of "intermission"?

You can use alternatives like ""break"", "pause", or "recess" depending on the context.

Is "intermission" formal or informal?

"Intermission" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, generally used in reference to scheduled breaks in performances or events.

What is the difference between "intermission" and "interruption"?

"Intermission" refers to a planned break, while "interruption" describes an unexpected disturbance or cessation of an activity.