pause upon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pause upon" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating a moment of hesitation or reflection on a particular subject or action. Example: "Before making a decision, I always pause upon the implications of my choice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Every year they pause upon reaching the obstacles of the Grumeti and Mara rivers.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

In today's sketchy political climate, most photographers might at least pause upon receiving an a call from a curator in Russia offering to show their art.

Vice

A pause upon the RNA DNA hybrid recognition happens if the rate of translocation slows down the NAC, that is, is limiting relative to the rates of NTP binding and phosphodiester bond formation.

EMBO Journal

Note that rolls are not faster than running due to the slight pause upon completing the roll.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Yet he paused upon seeing the Padnos flyer.

The New Yorker

One Humvee was ahead of ours, and it paused upon reaching the first narrow street.

The New Yorker

If this is a challenge for you I ask you to push pause, draw upon a personal narrative or experience that may place you in a position where your voice has been stifled, and use it as a metaphor.

Huffington Post

The wild-type enzyme displays a two-fold increase in the apparent pause density upon encountering the nucleosome (Table 2).

eLife

"Wayfarer, pause and look upon a gate to paradise — Mervyn Smith".

The Guardian

"One must pause and reflect upon nuclear holocaust," he wrote.

The New Yorker

It is, she said, prudent to pause and "reflect upon what our possibilities are".

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pause upon" when you want to emphasize a brief stop or hesitation followed by contemplation or consideration of something specific. It works well to highlight a moment of reflection amidst ongoing activity.

Common error

Avoid using "pause upon" in very casual or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "think about" or "consider" are often more appropriate for everyday conversation and informal correspondence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pause upon" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating a temporary cessation followed by focused attention or consideration. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correct and usable, suggesting it serves to highlight a moment of reflection.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

37%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "pause upon" is a grammatically sound construction that signals a moment of brief stoppage or hesitation preceding a deliberate act of consideration or reflection. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and provides examples across varied contexts. Although considered uncommon, its usage spans News & Media and Science, indicating a leaning towards neutral to formal registers. Alternatives like "reflect on" or "consider" may be more appropriate for informal settings. When using "pause upon", ensure the context warrants emphasizing a deliberate moment of contemplation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pause to think about

Directly connects the pause with the act of thinking, making the purpose of the pause explicit.

stop to consider

Directly suggests halting an action to engage in thought, adding an element of purpose.

reflect upon

A more formal and emphatic version of "reflect on", carrying a stronger sense of deep contemplation.

take a moment to reflect

Emphasizes the deliberate allocation of time for reflection, contrasting with an incidental pause.

momentarily consider

Explicitly indicates a brief consideration, capturing both the pause and the thought.

briefly contemplate

Similar to 'momentarily consider' but with a nuance of deeper thought during the short pause.

reflect on

Focuses more on the mental process of thinking deeply about something, removing the element of physical pausing.

consider

Emphasizes the act of thinking carefully before making a decision, without necessarily implying a stop.

dwell on

Implies a prolonged period of thought, often with an emotional attachment, unlike the neutral stance of "pause upon".

hesitate before

Highlights the indecision or reluctance before an action, rather than a moment of reflection during or after.

FAQs

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

You can use "pause upon" to indicate a moment of hesitation or reflection about something. For example: "Every year they "pause upon" reaching the obstacles of the Grumeti and Mara rivers".

What are some alternatives to "pause upon"?

Some alternatives include "reflect on", "consider", or "pause to think about", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "pause upon" formal or informal?

While grammatically correct, "pause upon" leans towards a more formal register. In casual conversation, simpler phrases might be more suitable.

What's the difference between "pause upon" and "reflect upon"?

"Pause upon" suggests a physical or momentary stop followed by thought, whereas "reflect upon" focuses primarily on the mental process of deep consideration, without necessarily implying a physical pause.