put a break

USAGE SUMMARY

Using the phrase.
The phrase "put a break" is not typically used in written English. If you were looking for a phrasing that means to take a break, you would use "take a break." Example: After working for six hours, I decided to take a break and have a snack.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Why doesn't it put a break on turbo-capitalism rather than revving it up?

The Economist

The first thing to do is to put a break on the self‑loathing.

The Guardian - Sport

The cuts to public health will put a break on essential local action to tackle poor health and diet.

The Guardian

Over the years research in the field of cancer immunotherapy has flourished, bringing about crucial breakthroughs, but at the same time revealing new and important pathways of immune suppression that put a break on the success of cancer immunotherapy.

Nano Today

It is important for the international community to put a break on the rise of a new nationalism in Japan, and the United States should take the lead.

The New York Times

What would the Socialists do this time?The answer is that Mr Hollande seems to want to put a break on the Schumpeterian forces of creative destruction in order to conserve the country's business landscape in aspic.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Can I legally put a broken 27-inch television, an old microwave and an entire set of barbells into the recycling?

The New York Times

A Portuguese taxi driver named Manny showed me a letter from a passenger who thanked him for saving her life by helping her put a broken relationship into perspective.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We won't be signing up to anything that undermines or puts a break on Victoria's nation-leading renewable energy agenda and climate change policies," the state's energy minister, Lily D'Ambrosio, told an economic conference on Thursday.

The Guardian

This requirement puts a break on donations, so the system also provides election-funding, via the taxpayer, to any candidate who achieves at least 4percentt of the first preference vote.

The Washington Post

These opportunities allow people with negative views on the stock market to play a strong role in setting prices, often putting a break on excessive enthusiasm.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using stronger and more precise alternatives like "take a break", "pause", or "halt" to ensure clarity and grammatical accuracy in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "put a break" in formal writing. While it might be understood, it's not grammatically standard and can detract from the overall professionalism of your text.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "put a break" functions as a verb phrase intended to express the act of pausing or interrupting an activity. However, as noted by Ludwig AI, it's not considered standard English and is better replaced with more conventional expressions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "put a break" is used in various contexts, it is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. Ludwig AI suggests opting for more conventional alternatives such as "take a break", "pause", or "halt" to ensure clarity and correctness. Its usage is most frequent in news and media, but it's advisable to avoid it in formal writing. Despite being incorrect, the phrase's intended meaning is usually understood which prevents it from becoming completely obsolete.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

put a stop

Similar to the original, but implies ending something immediately and decisively.

bring to a halt

Emphasizes stopping something, offering a stronger sense of conclusion compared to the original phrase.

introduce a pause

Focuses on the act of creating a moment of stillness, suitable for contexts needing emphasis on interruption.

suspend temporarily

Indicates a temporary cessation, providing a more precise and action-oriented alternative.

apply the brakes

Uses a metaphor to suggest slowing down or stopping an activity.

cease momentarily

Highlights a short-lived termination, suitable when describing brief interruptions.

take a respite

Replaces "put a break" with a more formal term for a short period of rest or relief.

call a recess

Suggests a more structured or formally organized suspension of activity.

grant a moratorium

Indicates a temporary prohibition or suspension, suitable for formal contexts.

take a breather

More informal, suggesting a brief rest to recover or relax.

FAQs

What does "put a break" mean?

The phrase "put a break" generally means to introduce a pause or interruption. However, it's not considered standard English and alternatives like "take a break" are more appropriate.

Is it grammatically correct to say "put a break"?

No, "put a break" is not grammatically correct in formal English. It's better to use phrases like "take a break" or "introduce a pause".

What can I say instead of "put a break"?

You can use alternatives like "take a break", "pause", or "halt" depending on the context.

How can I use "take a break" in a sentence?

Here's an example: "After working for six hours, I decided to take a break and have a snack."