reason to pause

USAGE SUMMARY

'reason to pause' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to suggest that somebody should take a moment to consider what is being said or done. For example, "My colleague's suggestion of cancelling the project gave us all a reason to pause."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There's a deeper reason to pause.

The Guardian - Opinion

Impose them now, and give Mr Putin reason to pause.

The Economist

And that only gives creditors reason to pause.

The New York Times

Later that afternoon, love was a good reason to pause again.

University of California, Berkeley

"It gives them reason to pause and reset their strategy," he said.

The New York Times

"The cumulative concerns of what I've read gives me reason to pause..

The Guardian

The murder of American diplomats in Libya has given me reason to pause and consider the associated risks.

The New York Times

If these words simply strike you as evergreen trash talk, daily sports bravado, all the more reason to pause.

The New Yorker

Coach Hendrix is white, which at times gives spectators reason to pause, but she doesn't think much of it.

The Guardian - Sport

Mr. Torricelli's penchant for profiting from private stock deals and IPO's might also give Vice President Gore reason to pause.

The New York Times

That should give any housing prognosticator reason to pause before jumping to any firm conclusions based on this report.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "reason to pause" to introduce a contrasting viewpoint or potential drawback that requires careful thought before proceeding.

Common error

Avoid using "reason to pause" vaguely. Always clearly state what provides the reason for pausing, ensuring the context is explicit and the need for consideration is well-justified.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reason to pause" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as the object of a verb or preposition. It identifies a specific justification or rationale for interrupting an action or process. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Academia

22%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Science

15%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reason to pause" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that serves to introduce a point of reflection or reconsideration. According to Ludwig, the phrase is appropriate across various contexts, from news and media to academic writing. When using this phrase, it's best to ensure specificity, clearly stating what exactly provides the cause for pausing. Alternatives include "cause for reflection" or "grounds for hesitation", depending on the nuance you wish to convey. With a strong presence in authoritative sources, "reason to pause" is a reliable and effective way to signal the need for careful evaluation in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cause for reflection

Emphasizes the reflective aspect, implying something warrants deeper thought.

motive for reconsideration

Focuses on re-evaluation, suggesting a previous decision might need to be revisited.

grounds for hesitation

Highlights the uncertainty, making the action less immediate and sure.

justification for delay

Implies a valid explanation for postponing something.

prompt to deliberate

Stresses the act of careful and thorough consideration.

occasion for second thought

Suggests a need to think again about something, perhaps changing one's mind.

stimulus for contemplation

Emphasizes the contemplative aspect, inviting deep thinking.

incentive to deliberate

Highlights there is an explicit motivation to think carefully before acting.

catalyst for review

Suggests the reason acts as an event that triggers a closer inspection of the matter.

impetus for assessment

Indicates the existence of something that motivates a thorough and systematic evaluation.

FAQs

How can I use "reason to pause" in a sentence?

You can use "reason to pause" to introduce a moment of reflection or reconsideration. For example, "The unexpected cost increase gave the team a "reason to pause" and reassess their budget."

What are some alternatives to "reason to pause"?

Alternatives include "cause for reflection", "grounds for hesitation", or "motive for reconsideration", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "reason to pause" formal or informal?

"Reason to pause" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding language and the overall tone of the communication.

What's the difference between "reason to pause" and "excuse to pause"?

"Reason to pause" implies a valid and justifiable need to stop and consider, whereas "excuse to pause" suggests a less legitimate or perhaps self-serving reason for stopping.