put on pause

USAGE SUMMARY

"put on pause" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of pausing or temporarily suspending something. For example: "The project was put on pause due to limited resources."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

For a little while, the ugliness in sports was put on pause.

The New York Times

The project was put "on pause" according to co-founder Per Cromwell when they realised the scale of the challenge.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He also agreed to put on pause his motion to intervene as he waits to see if the document review turns up any materials related to Ms. Clifford.

The New York Times

"In particular, recent reports indicate hiring permanent staff may be being put on pause until after the EU referendum as employers turn to temporary workers to fill gaps".

The Guardian

All the principals are stalwart and right-minded in their work (Aldridge is particularly good at finding moments of stillness in the choreographed mayhem), and that only adds to the strength and the wildness of the show, which you can't put on pause.

The New Yorker

The project was eventually put on pause "because of the media attention of the climate science debate that Pruitt was planning". — In a move that would weaken the EPA's ability to handle mining developments, Pruitt outlined in an agency memo a proposal to limit whether it can block the Army Corps of Engineer's approval of waste dumping, The Post's Juliet Eilperin and Brady Dennis report.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

Leaving the actual building is even better, and makes it easier for you to truly disengage from the work you're putting on pause and will even restore your energy levels.

Huffington Post

When she heard her daughter was hurt, she didn't pause to put on shoes.

The Washington Post

His eyes brighten and, without pausing to put on his shoes, he dashes barefoot out of his house.

Unicef

We just put it on pause".

The New York Times - Sports

Senate Democrats want to put them on "pause" for at least a year.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "put on pause" when you want to indicate a temporary cessation of an activity with the expectation of resuming it later. This is especially useful in project management or negotiations.

Common error

Avoid using "put on pause" if the intention is to permanently stop something. Instead, use terms like "discontinued" or "terminated" to reflect the finality of the action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "put on pause" functions as a phrasal verb, indicating the act of temporarily stopping or suspending an activity or process. Ludwig AI confirms this is a correct and usable phrase. Examples show its use in various contexts, from business to personal situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "put on pause" is a versatile phrasal verb used to indicate the temporary suspension of an activity, with the anticipation of resuming it in the future. Ludwig AI confirms it as correct and usable, frequently appearing in news, business, and academic contexts. While similar to phrases like "put on hold", it is crucial to distinguish its meaning from permanent cessation, for which alternatives like "discontinued" are more appropriate. Its neutral register makes it suitable for diverse writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

put on hold

Shares the same meaning but is less versatile than the main query.

suspend temporarily

Focuses on the temporary nature of the interruption.

hold in abeyance

Implies a state of waiting or being held back for a future decision.

delay temporarily

Emphasizes the postponement of an action or decision.

table for later

Suggests that the matter will be discussed or addressed at a subsequent time.

shelve temporarily

Indicates that something is put aside, often with the implication it might be resumed later.

defer for now

Highlights the act of postponing something to a later time.

cease temporarily

Highlights the act of temporarily stopping something.

discontinue temporarily

Emphasizes the action of stopping something for a period of time.

break off

Focuses on interrupting an activity.

FAQs

How can I use "put on pause" in a sentence?

You can use "put on pause" to indicate a temporary suspension of an activity. For example, "The negotiations were "put on pause" while both parties reconsidered their positions."

What can I say instead of "put on pause"?

You can use alternatives like "suspend temporarily", "hold in abeyance", or "delay temporarily" depending on the context.

Which is correct: "put on pause" or "placed on pause"?

Both "put on pause" and "placed on pause" are grammatically correct and convey the same meaning. However, "put on pause" is more commonly used.

What's the difference between "put on pause" and "put on hold"?

The phrases "put on pause" and "put on hold" are largely interchangeable. "Put on pause" might suggest a slightly more formal or deliberate suspension, while "put on hold" can be more general.