pause for laughter

USAGE SUMMARY

"pause for laughter" is a valid and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that an event would usually be accompanied by laughter. For example, "The comedian's joke was so funny, he had to pause for laughter before continuing his monologue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Pause for laughter.

The New Yorker

After an appropriate pause for laughter, he added, somewhat disingenuously, "I don't know why people make so much of the circus thing.

The New Yorker

His perspective on the 1984 presidential race between Ronald Reagan and Walter F. Mondale was vintage Hope, a theme and variations with only the slightest pause for laughter.

The New York Times - Arts

In a pause for laughter, a blue-clad Lucian J. Pawlak, the mayor of New Britain, leaned into a microphone and said, "Actually, this is my son's shirt".

The New York Times

Pause for laughter – and an even longer pause between The Day Today's spoof sketch from some two decades ago involving a collie taking the controls of a helicopter, and the reality of a Sky television pilot dog.

Independent

Katevas developed an algorithm for comic timing: tell a joke, wait two seconds to measure audio feedback from the crowd, and pause for laughter, holding for no more than five seconds.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

"I brought it from home," he says, pausing for laughter.

The New Yorker

"Remember about those grandchildren?" Then he paused for laughter.

The New Yorker

"Reasonableness and bigness walk down the street hand in hand here," Mr. Carney said before pausing for laughter.

The New York Times

The declamatory speeches and pauses for laughter make even a show as energetic as this seem rather slow.

The Guardian

"Might want to keep him alive until Thanksgiving or Christmas," he said, pausing for laughter, "but probably not in that environment".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "pause for laughter", consider the context. In formal writing, it may be more appropriate to use a more subtle indication of humor, while in informal writing or scripts, it is perfectly acceptable.

Common error

Avoid overuse of "pause for laughter" in writing. Excessive use can make the text seem repetitive and less impactful. Instead, vary your approach to indicate humorous moments, or trust that your audience will recognize the humor without explicit direction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pause for laughter" functions as a directive, primarily used in scripts or descriptive writing. It instructs the performer or reader to allow a brief silence to accommodate audience laughter. Ludwig confirms this usage is common.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "pause for laughter" is a common directive, particularly in scripts and comedic writing, indicating a moment where audience laughter is anticipated. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. While not overly formal, it serves to manage audience response and control pacing. Alternatives include "moment for laughter" or "comedic pause", offering stylistic variations. Overusing the phrase should be avoided; subtle indications of humor can be more effective. The most authoritative sources of this phrase includes The New Yorker, The New York Times and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Moment for laughter

Replaces "pause" with "moment", slightly altering the emphasis to highlight the brevity of the interlude.

A comedic pause

More directly indicates that the pause is for comedic effect.

Brief interlude for laughter

Substitutes "pause" with "brief interlude", creating a more formal and literary tone.

Intermission for humor

Suggests a break specifically intended for humorous content or delivery.

Allow a moment for laughter

Replaces the noun phrase "pause for laughter" with an active verb phrase, shifting the focus to allowing the opportunity for laughter.

A beat for laughter

Uses "beat" to indicate a short pause, common in comedic timing, to allow for laughter.

Room for laughter

Emphasizes that space or opportunity should be given for laughter.

A space for laughter

Similar to "room for laughter", this indicates the allowance of opportunity or a designated moment for laughter.

Opportunity for amusement

Replaces "laughter" with the more formal "amusement", broadening the scope to include various forms of lighthearted enjoyment.

Time out for chuckles

Uses more casual language like "time out" and "chuckles" to create a more informal and lighthearted tone.

FAQs

How can I use "pause for laughter" in a sentence?

You can use "pause for laughter" to indicate a moment where laughter is expected or has occurred after a joke or humorous remark. For example, "The comedian delivered the punchline, then "pause for laughter" before moving on to the next joke".

What are some alternatives to "pause for laughter"?

Alternatives to "pause for laughter" include "moment for laughter", "brief interlude for laughter", or "allow a moment for laughter", depending on the specific context and desired tone.

Is it appropriate to use "pause for laughter" in formal writing?

While "pause for laughter" is generally acceptable, it's more suited to informal or script writing. In formal writing, consider more subtle ways to indicate humor, allowing the reader to respond naturally without explicit direction.

What does "pause for laughter" mean in a script?

In a script, "pause for laughter" indicates to the actors that they should allow a brief silence for the audience to laugh after a funny line or scene. It's a cue for comedic timing.