momentary pause

USAGE SUMMARY

"momentary pause" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe a short pause in a conversation or speech. For example, "The speaker took a momentary pause to collect his thoughts before continuing with his address."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

A momentary pause.

The Guardian - Sport

When the count ran out, there was momentary pause followed by a flurry of loud cracks.

The New York Times

"There was just a momentary pause in activity," one witness said.

The New York Times

This one cup of tea was a momentary pause, a hiatus, a lifeline in an otherwise frantic shift.

The Guardian

Some argue that the push back against market forces is a momentary pause in a steady march toward unfettered capitalism.

The New York Times

But is the economy really weakening or is this a momentary pause in an otherwise healthy process?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

Even though there were many costume changes, the San Francisco-based troupe made dance follow dance with only momentary pauses between.

The New York Times

Dear Babe, that sleepest cradled by my side, Whose gentle breathings, heard in this deep calm, Fill up the intersperséd vacancies And momentary pauses of the thought!

The Guardian - Books

The poem continues with a discussion of the narrator's sleeping child: Dear Babe, that sleepest cradled by my side, Whose gentle breathings, heard in this deep calm, Fill up the intersperséd vacancies And momentary pauses of the thought!

Wikipedia

Newcastle fans – and even Benítez – seemed so startled by what they had just seen that there was a momentary collective pause, a sense of suspended animation, before the celebrations began.

The Guardian - Sport

They are, however, a feast of complex counterpoint, patterning and sly, abrupt shifts from propulsive dance to loose walks and momentary dawdling pauses.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In technical writing, employ this phrase to describe transient states where a system stops briefly before resuming normal operation.

Common error

Do not use "momentary pause" when you actually mean "momentary lapse". A pause is a neutral or intentional stop in activity, whereas a lapse usually implies a mistake, a failure of memory, or a decline in standards.

Linguistic Context

As a noun phrase, "momentary pause" functions as a subject, object, or the complement of a preposition. According to Ludwig AI, it most often appears after indefinite articles or possessives to describe a specific event of cessation. Its grammatical structure (adjective + noun) is standard and follows all rules of English syntax.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Social Media

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "momentary pause" is a highly versatile and correct English phrase used to describe a brief cessation of activity. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use across prestigious publications like The New York Times and The Guardian, where it serves to describe rhythmic breaks in speech, mechanical delays, or dramatic hesitations. It is distinct from a "momentary lapse", which implies a mistake, and is often interchangeable with "brief pause". Whether you are writing a news report, a scientific paper, or a creative story, this phrase is an excellent choice for denoting a short, temporary stop with precision and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

brief pause

Uses a more common adjective but remains functionally identical in most contexts.

momentary halt

Suggests a more complete and perhaps more abrupt cessation of movement or progress.

transient interruption

A technical or scientific term suggesting something that breaks a flow only for a short time.

short break

More informal and suggests a deliberate period of rest rather than a mechanical or conversational hesitation.

brief interval

Emphasizes the duration of time between two events rather than the act of stopping.

temporary suspension

Much more formal and often used in legal, technical, or administrative contexts.

quick hiatus

Implies a gap or opening, often used for a break in a series or a career.

fleeting hesitation

Shifts the focus to the psychological state of the person pausing.

instantaneous stop

Suggests a much faster and more physical cessation than a pause.

momentary lapse

Typically carries a negative connotation, referring to a failure in concentration or judgment.

FAQs

How do I use "momentary pause" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a short break in any activity, for example: "There was a "momentary pause" in the conversation as everyone waited for her reaction."

What can I say instead of "momentary pause"?

Depending on your context, you might use "brief pause", "short break", or "momentary halt".

Is it "momentary pause" or "momentary lapse"?

It depends on what happened. A ""momentary pause"" is just a short stop, while a "momentary lapse" usually refers to a temporary error in judgment or concentration.

Is "momentary pause" considered formal English?

Yes, it is perfectly acceptable in formal and professional writing. You will frequently find it in sources like "The New York Times" and "The Guardian".