merely paused

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "merely paused" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something has stopped temporarily, without implying any significant change or consequence. Example: "She merely paused to catch her breath before continuing her speech."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

And on the loan forgiveness, it's unclear whether debt will be wiped away, or merely paused.

The Guardian

He merely paused at the door and muttered, "And another thing - that sign 'Cafe' on your window ought to have a little mark over the "e'".

The New Yorker

If a user clicks to a new page within the site before the ad is fully loaded, the process is merely paused until the browser is again idle.

Forbes

When asked if he was watching the current NBA finals, he merely paused and murmured, "uh, not really".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Here, there is a sense that Murray is merely pausing before returning to a sapping battle with fresh purpose.

The Guardian - Sport

Could one comply with the law by merely pausing the music while crossing, or would it be necessary to remove the earphones from the ears?

The New York Times - Tech

Some skeptics say they believe the market is merely pausing before it resumes falling and that much of the life in the market is coming from speculators.

The New York Times

Tom Albanese, its boss, says the Chinese economy is merely "pausing for breath .Both firms point out that some metals, such as copper, are still in short supply, and that the credit crunch will only make it harder to finance new mines.

The Economist

Nearly a month on, my country feels unfamiliar, its howl against the future still echoing around its four nations, its politics stabilising a little, but perhaps, like Werner Herzog's boat in Fitzcarraldo, merely pausing in an isolated calm while malevolent rapids whip and pull at it.

The Guardian - Sport

For some it happens earlier than others, some people choose to act on it, while others merely pause to acknowledge it, and keep walking only to ignore it another long while until it pops up again.

Huffington Post

So let me just pause here and merely locate the problem.

Biology and Philosophy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "merely paused" to downplay the significance of a temporary stop or interruption. It suggests that the pause is not expected to have lasting consequences.

Common error

Avoid using "merely paused" when the interruption has significant implications or consequences. The phrase is best suited for minor, inconsequential breaks.

Linguistic Context

"Merely paused" functions as an adverbial modifier indicating the manner in which an action (pausing) is performed. It specifies that the pause is slight or insignificant. Ludwig AI validates this usage, highlighting its correctness in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "merely paused" is a phrase used to describe a temporary interruption that is not significant or expected to have lasting consequences. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English. While the phrase is relatively rare, it is most commonly found in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the pause you are describing truly is minor and inconsequential to avoid misrepresenting the situation. Alternatives such as "briefly stopped" or "temporarily suspended" may be suitable depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

simply halted

Replaces "paused" with "halted", indicating a sudden stop, but maintains the simplicity emphasized by "merely".

briefly stopped

Emphasizes the short duration of the pause, which "merely" suggests without explicitly stating.

only suspended

Replaces "merely paused" with "only suspended", reinforcing the idea that the suspension is temporary and not significant.

temporarily suspended

Implies a more formal or official interruption than a simple pause.

only interrupted briefly

Replaces "merely paused" with "only interrupted briefly", emphasizing both the insignificance and the short duration of the interruption.

momentarily interrupted

Highlights the interruption aspect of the pause, adding a sense of disruption.

only a break

Highlights the temporary nature of the pause, emphasizing that it's just a short interruption.

just ceased

Conveys a sense of recent or immediate cessation, similar to a pause.

briefly desisted

Indicates a temporary cessation of an action, similar to a pause.

just a respite

Uses "respite" to imply a brief rest or break, which is a type of pause.

FAQs

How can I use "merely paused" in a sentence?

Use "merely paused" to indicate a temporary stop that doesn't have significant implications. For example, "The negotiations "merely paused" before resuming the next day".

What are some alternatives to "merely paused"?

You can use alternatives like "briefly stopped", "temporarily suspended", or "momentarily interrupted" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "merely paused" in formal writing?

Yes, "merely paused" is appropriate for formal writing as it is grammatically correct and conveys a sense of temporary interruption without significant impact.

What's the difference between "merely paused" and "completely stopped"?

"Merely paused" indicates a temporary halt with the expectation of resuming, while "completely stopped" suggests a permanent cessation with no intention of continuing. Use ""merely paused"" when something is expected to continue later.