pause the class

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pause the class" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to temporarily stop a class session, often to address a specific issue or allow for a break. Example: "Before we move on to the next topic, let's pause the class for a few minutes to answer any questions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Uranus…" There is a split-second pause and then the class erupts into full-fledged chaos.

The New Yorker

One-minute quizzes, 'pair and share,' on-line feedback, or just long pauses built into the class to give students time to formulate questions are other techniques that can be employed successfully".

Huffington Post

The class paused to observe me.

The New York Times - Travel

Ten minutes in, with just one more variable to solve, the class paused at some double-digit multiplication problems, and she relented.

The Washington Post

The idea here is that there isn't a lot of active learning happening, in elementary schools, in high schools, and especially at colleges, yet a lot can be learned by tracking the frequency of questions an instructor asks, or how long he or she pauses, or who in the class is volunteering to speak and who isn't.

TechCrunch

The class pauses to write a list of six words that might come up in the BBC News broadcast they're about to watch.

Vice

He doesn't read books, he has a dumb laugh and pimples.' " I paused and looked out at the class.

The New Yorker

After making one observation of each student in each group in the class, we paused before starting the next round of observations, which we conducted in the same order as the initial round.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

After the usual "All tigers are tigers" and "All rabbits are hares" were suggested, a student asked, "How about 'All answers have questions' and 'All questions have answers'?" Fortunately, the teacher paused to explore this with the class.

SEP

I traveled the short three blocks home in more time than the class had taken, pausing to rest on every other stoop.

The New York Times

At this point, the class came to a pause.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "pause the class", be clear about the reason for the pause and its duration to manage student expectations effectively.

Common error

Don't use "pause the class" without context. Always explain why you're pausing to avoid confusion and maintain order.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pause the class" functions as a directive, typically used by an instructor or leader to temporarily halt the ongoing activity of a class. This usage aligns with examples found by Ludwig, where the phrase indicates a brief cessation for various reasons.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Academia

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

10%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pause the class" is a grammatically sound phrase used to temporarily halt a class session for various reasons. While it appears relatively infrequently in written sources, as noted by Ludwig, its meaning is clear and its usage is generally neutral. It is used across different types of sources, including news, academic, and wiki contexts, suggesting a broad applicability. When using the phrase, it's crucial to provide context to ensure students understand the reason for the pause. Alternatives like "interrupt the lesson" or "suspend the class" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stop the class temporarily

Explicitly indicates a temporary cessation of the class.

interrupt the lesson

Focuses on stopping the instructional aspect.

halt the session

Emphasizes a more formal and abrupt stop.

suspend the class

Implies a temporary break with the intention of resuming later.

take a break from the class

Focuses on the act of interrupting or suspending from a certain activity.

call a recess in class

More appropriate in a school setting, like elementary or middle school.

break the class

Informal way to mention to temporarily suspend a certain activity.

adjourn the class

Formal and implies a definite end to the session, though possibly temporary.

hold the class

Informal and not commonly used, implies a brief stop.

put the class on hold

Similar to suspend, suggesting a temporary cessation.

FAQs

How can I use "pause the class" effectively in a classroom setting?

Use "pause the class" when you need to address an urgent issue, allow for a short break, or facilitate a quick discussion. For example: "Let's /s/pause+the+class for a minute to discuss this concept further."

What are some alternatives to saying "pause the class"?

You can use alternatives like "interrupt the lesson", "suspend the class", or "take a break from the class" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to "pause the class" during an online session?

Yes, "pause the class" is appropriate in online sessions when you need to manage technical issues, give students a moment to process information, or address questions. Ensure you communicate the reason and estimated duration clearly.

What's the difference between "pause the class" and "cancel the class"?

"Pause the class" implies a temporary interruption with the intention of resuming, while "cancel the class" means the session is terminated and will not continue as scheduled.