it gives me pause

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it gives me pause" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing that something causes you to stop and think carefully before proceeding. Example: "The unexpected results of the experiment give me pause, making me reconsider our initial hypothesis."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science & Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

"Given Beijing's belligerent behavior towards its neighbors across the Asia-Pacific in recent months, it gives me pause they would be rewarded with the opportunity to participate in such a prestigious exercise," said Rep. Randy Forbes (R-VA).

Huffington Post

"It gives me pause," Mr. Joy said.

The New York Times

"It gives me pause and goes into my decisions.

The New York Times

It gives me pause about the accuracy of other studies".

The New York Times

When I think about this, it gives me pause.

The Guardian - Opinion

I think it gives me pause to think that was the intent of the Congress".

The New York Times - Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

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

The New York Times - Tech

"It gave me pause in the beginning," Louis-Dreyfus said later.

The New Yorker

It gave me pause, but it felt like the only word that worked.

The Guardian

The title of the circus was Joplin!, and it gave me pause to see the sins of my youth being replayed as a decorative motif.

The Guardian - Books

When I got my credit card bill for my Barnes & Noble account, which feeds my Nook reader, it gave me pause — and got me wondering about borrowing e-books from my library.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it gives me pause" to introduce a moment of thoughtful consideration or hesitation before proceeding with an action or decision. This signals to the reader that a potential issue or concern exists.

Common error

Avoid using "it gives me pause" too frequently in your writing, as it can become repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "it makes me think twice" or "it causes me to hesitate" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

It gives me pause functions as an idiomatic expression used to indicate a moment of hesitation, concern, or reflection. It introduces a viewpoint where the speaker is prompted to reconsider or evaluate a situation due to a specific factor. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Science & Research

14%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it gives me pause" is a useful idiom for expressing hesitation or concern, prompting a need for further thought. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically correct and commonly found in news and media, as well as scientific contexts. Alternatives such as "it makes me think twice" or "it causes me to hesitate" can be used to avoid repetition. It is a neutral to slightly formal expression, suitable for professional communication, but should be used judiciously to maintain clarity and engagement in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it makes me think twice

Replaces "gives me pause" with a more direct expression of reconsideration.

it causes me to hesitate

Focuses on the immediate reaction of pausing or hesitating.

it gives me reason to reconsider

Highlights the rationale behind needing to re-evaluate something.

it prompts me to reflect

Emphasizes a deeper, more contemplative thought process.

it makes me wonder

Introduces an element of curiosity or doubt.

it raises concerns for me

Expresses a worry or apprehension about a situation.

it makes me apprehensive

Highlights the feeling of anxiety or unease.

it causes me some concern

Expresses a moderate level of worry or unease.

it makes me doubtful

Focuses on feeling uncertain or skeptical.

it suggests caution is warranted

Implies the need for careful consideration and prudence.

FAQs

How can I use "it gives me pause" in a sentence?

You can use "it gives me pause" to express hesitation or concern about something. For example, "The high cost of the project "it gives me pause", but I still think it's worth pursuing."

What's a more formal alternative to "it gives me pause"?

A more formal alternative would be "it prompts me to reconsider" or "it warrants further consideration". These phrases are suitable for professional or academic writing.

Is it ever incorrect to use the phrase "it gives me pause"?

No, the phrase "it gives me pause" is grammatically correct and widely accepted. However, ensure that it fits the tone and context of your writing.

What does "it gives me pause for thought" mean?

"It gives me pause for thought" is a slightly expanded version of "it gives me pause", meaning it causes me to stop and think carefully about something. They are very similar in meaning and usage.