recess is over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "recess is over" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a break or pause in an activity, typically in a school setting, has come to an end. Example: "After a fun break outside, the teacher announced that recess is over and it was time to return to class."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

The summer recess is over, MPs are back in the Commons this afternoon and Westminster politics is whirring away at full pelt again for the first time in six weeks.

The Guardian

Recess is over!' I feel psychedelic, I'm so upset.

Vice

When recess is over, go to the nurse and ask for an ice pack.

WikiHow

Recess is over.

The New York Times - Arts

By the time the boiling water finally gets the noodles soft enough to eat, the 20-minute recess is over.

The Guardian - Opinion

One of the most difficult transitions is from a preferred activity to a non-preferred activity (e.g., "Recess is over. It's time to take your math quiz").

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Lorenzo left the basketball game to sit and talk with Kyle until recess was over.

University of California, Berkeley

He bent his head down to Al's ear — he was a good six inches taller — and spoke to him like a teacher informing a young boy that recess was over.

The New Yorker

He bent his head down to Al's ear he was a good six inches taller and spoke to him like a teacher informing a young boy that recess was over.

The New Yorker

It was a beautiful autumn afternoon and the soldiers were joking around, heating up Meals Ready to Eat, spitting gobs of Copenhagen and then, in a moment, recess was over.

The New York Times - Magazine

The bell rang, and recess was over.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "recess is over" to clearly signal the end of a break period, especially in educational or formal settings, ensuring everyone is aware that it's time to resume activities.

Common error

Avoid using "recess is over" in contexts that don't involve scheduled breaks, like informal pauses during work. It's best suited for situations like school recesses or formal intermissions. For work setting use other alternatives instead. For example: "break time is finished" or "the break has ended".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "recess is over" functions as a declarative statement used to announce the termination of a break period. Based on Ludwig AI analysis it is used to communicate that it is time to resume the previous activity, particularly in structured environments like schools.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "recess is over" is a grammatically sound and usable expression indicating the end of a break, most commonly found in news, media, and academic contexts. Ludwig AI confirms that it effectively communicates a transition back to scheduled activities. While "recess is over" is generally neutral, choosing alternative expressions can adjust the formality to suit different situations. Remembering its primary function and avoiding misapplication in non-scheduled break situations will help ensure clarity and appropriateness in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

The break is finished

This alternative uses simpler vocabulary, replacing "recess" with "break" and "over" with "finished" for a less formal tone.

The pause has ended

A straightforward alternative that uses more general vocabulary.

The intermission has concluded

This phrase is more formal, suitable for theatrical or performance contexts.

Resuming activities

A more formal way to announce that activities will now continue.

The respite is complete

This option uses more sophisticated vocabulary and implies a temporary period of relief that has ended.

Back to work

A concise and direct way to signal the end of a break and resumption of activities.

Time out is done

This alternative is very informal and primarily used with children.

The lull is past

This option implies a period of calmness or inactivity that has now ended.

The temporary cessation is over

A very formal and technical way of indicating that a pause has concluded.

The game's back on

This phrase indicates that an activity has been paused and is now restarting.

FAQs

What does "recess is over" mean?

The phrase "recess is over" indicates that a scheduled break, typically in a school or formal setting, has come to an end, and it is time to resume the previous activity.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "recess is over"?

Use "recess is over" in scenarios where a designated break period concludes, such as at schools, meetings, or any structured activity involving intermissions. It sets a clear signal that the pause has ended and it's time to get back to work.

What are some alternatives to saying "recess is over"?

You can use alternatives like "the "break is finished"", "time out is done", or "resuming activities" depending on the context.

Is "recess is over" formal or informal?

"Recess is over" is generally considered neutral, suitable for both semi-formal and informal settings. More formal alternatives include phrases like "the intermission has concluded", while informal options might be something like "back to work".