pausing briefly

USAGE SUMMARY

"pausing briefly" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to convey that someone stopped talking or doing something for a short period of time. For example: "John took a deep breath before continuing, pausing briefly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

"Pausing briefly to shift to practical concern.

The New Yorker

Pausing briefly to create impression of guilt".

The New Yorker

"We bought them with cash," Mr. Aliu said, pausing briefly before delivering the jab.

The New York Times

Pausing briefly, Mr Chaudhuri, the earnest poet, dismisses any possibility of Bollywood containing "artistic value".

The Economist

"I love winning," he said, pausing briefly before answering the question emphatically.

The New York Times

"Proactive?" he repeated, pausing briefly before settling on a suitable equivalent.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

She paused briefly.

The New York Times

He pauses briefly.

The New York Times

She pauses briefly.

The New Yorker

Then he paused briefly.

The New York Times

They paused briefly and headed toward it.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pausing briefly" to indicate a short, intentional break in speech or action, often to create emphasis or allow for reflection.

Common error

Avoid using "pausing briefly" excessively, as it can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "stopping momentarily" or "hesitating slightly" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pausing briefly" typically functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate the manner in which an action is performed. It specifies that the action is interrupted by a short break. This is consistent with Ludwig's AI's assessment of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "pausing briefly" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adverbial phrase. Ludwig's AI confirms its correct usage, and the numerous examples demonstrate its versatility across different contexts, particularly in News & Media. While alternatives exist for stylistic variation, it remains a clear and effective way to describe a short interruption in speech or action. Be mindful of overusing it, but otherwise, feel confident in incorporating it into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

taking a short pause

Directly refers to the act of pausing for a brief period.

stopping momentarily

Emphasizes the temporary nature of the stop, similar to pausing.

pausing for an instant

Using 'instant' to show the time of pausing.

hesitating slightly

Focuses on the hesitation aspect, implying a brief uncertainty.

interrupting for a moment

Highlights the interruption aspect of the pause.

ceasing for a second

Stresses the cessation, a temporary stop in action.

suspending momentarily

Highlights the aspect of temporary suspension.

halting for an instant

Similar to stopping momentarily, but can imply a more abrupt stop.

breaking off briefly

Indicates a temporary suspension in activity or speech.

breaking momentarily

Highlights the aspect of temporary breaking.

FAQs

How can I use "pausing briefly" in a sentence?

You can use "pausing briefly" to describe a short stop in an action or speech. For example: "The speaker, "pausing briefly", looked out at the audience before continuing."

What are some alternatives to "pausing briefly"?

Alternatives include phrases such as "stopping momentarily", "hesitating slightly", or "interrupting for a moment", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "pausing momentarily" instead of "pausing briefly"?

While "momentarily" and "briefly" have similar meanings, using "pausing momentarily" isn't necessarily redundant but it could be perceived as less common than ""pausing briefly"".

What's the difference between "pausing briefly" and "pausing significantly"?

"Pausing briefly" indicates a short pause, while "pausing significantly" implies a longer, more noticeable break. The choice depends on the duration and intended effect of the pause.