pause momentarily

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pause momentarily" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating a brief stop or interruption in an action or speech. Example: "During the presentation, she decided to pause momentarily to gather her thoughts before continuing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

I would pause momentarily, just so that he knew I wasn't a pushover, and then passionately agree.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Mr. McCain had just spoken about one given to him, and saying he had one, too, Mr. Obama appeared to pause momentarily when mentioning the soldier's name, Sgt. Ryan David Jopek.

The New York Times

Allow me to pause momentarily to offer the obligatory distinction between montepulciano, the grape, which is grown in the Abruzzi region and northward into Le Marche, and Montepulciano, a town in Tuscany and the source of a very different wine known as vino nobile di Montepulciano, made from the sangiovese grape.

The New York Times - Travel

Moreover, they're easily distracted;give them an order via keyboard or mouse and, no matter what they're doing, they'll pause momentarily to react.

Forbes

Nor, mercifully, is there a repeat of LG's once notorious 'twitching' effect, where motion would seem to pause momentarily and then jump on.

Forbes

After dropping my son off at primary school, I pause momentarily before heading to my cycle locker.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

She pauses, momentarily amazed.

The Guardian

Then she paused, momentarily overcome by emotion.

The New Yorker

But he paused momentarily, holding the ball.

The New York Times - Sports

He pauses momentarily to consider this question of fair use.

The New York Times - Books

I paused momentarily before I flipped her over.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pause momentarily" to create a sense of anticipation or emphasis before revealing key information.

Common error

Avoid using "pause momentarily" excessively in dialogue descriptions. It can become repetitive and disrupt the flow. Instead, vary your descriptions with other actions or internal thoughts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pause momentarily" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb. It indicates how the action of pausing is performed, specifying that it is a brief and temporary interruption. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pause momentarily" is a grammatically sound and relatively common phrase used to describe a brief interruption. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is considered correct and usable in written English. Its primary function is adverbial, specifying the temporal aspect of the verb "pause". Predominantly found in news and media sources, it carries a neutral register, making it appropriate for various contexts. For alternatives, consider using "hesitate briefly" or "stop briefly" to convey similar meanings. While versatile, avoid overuse in dialogue to maintain narrative flow.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hesitate briefly

Emphasizes the hesitation aspect more than the pause itself.

stop briefly

Focuses on the cessation of action, less on the duration.

halt for a second

Highlights the temporary nature and short duration of the stop.

interrupt briefly

Implies a disruption in an ongoing action or speech.

break for an instant

Focuses on the suddenness and brevity of the pause.

waver slightly

Suggests a temporary indecision or instability.

delay briefly

Highlights a short postponement in continuing an action.

cease briefly

Formal alternative, emphasizing the temporary cessation.

suspend momentarily

Implies a temporary suspension of an activity.

take a short pause

More explicit and less concise than the original phrase.

FAQs

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

You can use "pause momentarily" to indicate a brief stop in an action. For example, "She decided to "pause momentarily" before answering the difficult question".

What's a good alternative to "pause momentarily"?

Alternatives to "pause momentarily" include "hesitate briefly", "stop briefly", or "interrupt briefly", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "pause momentarily" or "pause briefly"?

Both "pause momentarily" and "pause briefly" are grammatically correct and can be used interchangeably. The choice depends on your preferred style and the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does "pause momentarily" imply about the length of the pause?

"Pause momentarily" suggests a very short pause, typically lasting only a few seconds or less. It emphasizes the brevity and fleeting nature of the interruption.