lingering pause

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lingering pause" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a moment of silence or hesitation that feels prolonged or significant in a conversation or narrative. Example: "After her unexpected confession, there was a lingering pause in the room as everyone processed what they had just heard."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

There was a lingering pause.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Talk of witches and spirits is woven into the fabric of the otherwise realistic world, which, like the plays of Annie Baker, whose "Circle Mirror Transformation" starred Ms. Schreck in a breakout role, includes lingering pauses between lovely bursts of offhand dialogue.

The New York Times

By early January Mr. Kaplan's rhythm became more assured and moseying, lingering on pauses, finding extra laughs between punch lines.

The New York Times - Arts

The setup is gruesome enough, but Boyle's visual habits are those of larky black comedy, and you cannot hope to horrify unless you learn to linger — to pause patiently while monstrosity looms.

The New Yorker

Ms. Mutter takes chances: dramatic pauses, lingering transitional phrases and surging tempos.

The New York Times

Where, instead, slowed by the downright Roman heat, calmed by the way time felt on hold, people were actually talking, pausing, lingering.

The New York Times - Arts

TENET's singers and players registered not only the notes but also the space around the notes: there were superbly timed pauses, lingering contemplations of sustained chords, phrases like exhalations.

The New Yorker

The show's strength is still the way it relishes lingering and withholding, pausing and fetishizing, forcing the audience to gaze at endlessly interpretable images, like that final one of Don caught in the prison bars of his own broken sliding door.

The New Yorker

Any lingering hopes of a pause in the fighting in Afghanistan went up in flames last week, when central Kabul was rocked by explosions right next to the diplomatic compound that houses the U.S. Embassy.

Vice

There is almost an audible sigh of relief as the train makes its way above ground -- or a lingering fear as it pauses in the darkness.

The New York Times

His penchant for lingering tempos and dramatic pauses made a certain sense in the finale, "Der Abschied," which is, after all, a mystical account of a final, pained leave-taking, tinged with the disappointments of a troubled life.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lingering pause" to create suspense or emphasize a character's internal conflict. It can effectively draw attention to unspoken emotions or pivotal decisions.

Common error

Avoid repeatedly using "lingering pause" in dialogue descriptions. Vary your sentence structure and descriptions to maintain reader engagement. Consider using synonyms like "prolonged silence" or describing non-verbal cues instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lingering pause" functions as a noun phrase, where "lingering" (adjective) modifies "pause" (noun). It describes a specific type of pause characterized by its extended duration or persistence. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable and correct in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lingering pause" is a grammatically correct and useful expression that describes a prolonged moment of silence or hesitation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it’s suitable for various contexts, particularly within News & Media. While not exceedingly common, its descriptive power allows writers to emphasize significance and create emotional depth. When using this phrase, it's essential to avoid overuse and consider alternative descriptions to maintain reader engagement. Effective alternatives include "prolonged silence" or "extended hesitation", offering subtle variations in meaning. In essence, "lingering pause" provides a valuable tool for adding nuance and depth to written communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lingering silence

Swaps "pause" with its synonym "silence", keeping "lingering" constant.

prolonged silence

Emphasizes the extended duration and absence of sound during the pause.

lingering quiet

Swaps "pause" with its synonym "quiet", keeping "lingering" constant.

extended hesitation

Highlights the hesitation aspect, suggesting uncertainty or contemplation.

pregnant pause

Implies the pause is filled with unspoken meaning or anticipation.

extended moment of silence

Expands on the idea of a "pause" to a "moment of silence", while adding "extended" for emphasis.

significant silence

Underscores the importance or weight of the silence.

noticeable delay

Focuses on the perceptibility and duration of the pause.

drawn-out pause

Emphasizes the elongated nature of the pause.

lengthy intermission

Refers to a more formal or structured break or pause.

FAQs

How can "lingering pause" be used effectively in writing?

A "lingering pause" can build suspense, reveal unspoken thoughts, or emphasize emotional tension. It is more effective when used sparingly to highlight key moments.

What are some alternatives to "lingering pause"?

You can use alternatives such as "prolonged silence", "extended hesitation", or "pregnant pause", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. For instance, "prolonged silence" simply emphasizes the length, while "pregnant pause" implies anticipation or hidden meaning.

Is "lingering pause" formal or informal?

The phrase "lingering pause" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding tone and content than the phrase itself.

What does "lingering pause" imply?

A "lingering pause" suggests that the silence or hesitation is prolonged and significant. It can indicate contemplation, reluctance, emotional weight, or anticipation.