make a pause

USAGE SUMMARY

"make a pause" is an acceptable phrase to use in written English.
It can be used to convey a slight break or interlude in something like a speech or presentation. For example: "Before I continue, let me make a pause to allow the audience to properly consider what I have said so far."

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

'Why, when you press the handle down and the water goes out, does the ball make a pause?'.

Huffington Post

Take a deep breath or make a pause after a sentence every once in a while.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Here is a master at work, making a pause do the work of a comedian.

The Guardian - Music

Roberts made a pause that italicized the author's last four words, silence that had the same effect as repetition.

The New Yorker

In this study, a new reaction intermediate of F1-ATPase was discovered at a temperature below 4°C, which makes a pause at the same angle in its rotation as when ATP binds.

EMBO Reports

After that make a break of 5 minutes; repeat the process 3x, then make a longer pause of 30-45 minutes.

WikiHow

There were very few dwellings in Ben Suc to make a bulldozer pause.

The New Yorker

The show also piques interest because while the content, what is being depicted, can make a viewer pause, the way that a work is made technically can be impressive.

The New York Times

An auto industry joke goes, "How quiet can you make a Lexus?" Pause.

Forbes

At the top of your backswing, make a slight pause and maintain a light grip through the swing.

WikiHow

In contemporary poetry, lines sometimes end with periods, which causes the speaker to make a full pause.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "make a pause" in writing, consider its impact on rhythm and flow. A well-placed pause can emphasize a point or create suspense. Consider starting a new paragraph instead of using "make a pause" mid-sentence.

Common error

Avoid excessive use of "make a pause", which can disrupt the natural flow of your writing. Vary your sentence structure and use more concise verbs like "pause" or "hesitate" for better readability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make a pause" functions as a verbal phrase where "make" acts as a verb taking "a pause" as its object. It signifies the act of creating or initiating a brief interruption. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is acceptable but has less frequency compared to its alternatives.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "make a pause" is an acceptable but somewhat less common phrase used to indicate creating a temporary interruption. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's grammatically sound but often replaceable with more concise alternatives like "pause". Its usage spans across news, wiki, and scientific contexts, with a tendency toward a neutral register. While grammatically correct, overuse can disrupt flow, so consider varying sentence structure and opting for direct verbs. For better readability and conciseness, replace it with shorter expressions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

create a pause

Focuses on actively generating the interruption.

insert a pause

Highlights the action of adding a pause into something.

take a break

Replaces "pause" with "break", implying a more substantial interruption.

effect a pause

Implies bringing about a pause, often deliberately.

allow for a pause

Emphasizes providing opportunity for interruption.

build in a pause

Suggests designing an interruption into a process.

incorporate a pause

Implies formally integrating an interruption.

establish a pause

Highlights setting up an interruption.

institute a pause

Implies formally beginning an interruption.

observe a pause

Focuses on acknowledging a temporary suspension.

FAQs

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

You can use "make a pause" to indicate a deliberate break or interruption, for example: "The speaker decided to "make a pause" to let the audience reflect on their words".

What's a more concise way to say "make a pause"?

Instead of "make a pause", you could simply use the verb "pause". For instance: "He "paused" before answering the question".

Is it better to use "make a pause" or just "pause"?

While "make a pause" is grammatically correct, "pause" is often more direct and concise. The choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis, but shorter and clearer options are preferable in writing.

What other phrases are similar to "make a pause"?

Similar phrases include "take a break", "insert a pause", and "create a pause", all suggesting a temporary cessation or interruption.