recess period

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "recess period" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to refer to a designated time for a break or pause, often in educational or formal settings. For example, "The students enjoyed their recess period before returning to class." Alternative expressions include "break time," "intermission," and "pause duration."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

Over the recess period, there was an intense lobbying war between insurance companies and doctors.

The New York Times

"The upcoming recess period would have allowed all members of the committee and the American people to review the legislation.

The New York Times

Another report, from a children's advocacy group, found that 40percentt of schools surveyed had cut back at least one daily recess period.

The New York Times - Health

On a recent afternoon at John Wilson Intermediate School 211 in Canarsie, where the twins attend eighth grade, they spent a short recess period sharpening their skills.

The New York Times

The court even broke with the presidential practice of 150 years by ruling that only vacancies arising during a narrow recess period qualify for recess appointments.

The New York Times

It is a high-minded approach at odds with the scene during a recent recess period at a downtown Mexico City middle school.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

As schools everywhere strive to improve the academic performance of their students, many have cut physical education and recess periods to leave more time for sedentary classroom instruction.

The New York Times

"I worked from the additional office space between Thursday and Monday and during recess periods and a member of my staff was also based there until moving to the new offices in 2007".

The Guardian

Researchers arrived at the rating through surveys of the students and their peers -- to see how they perceived one another -- as well as observation of most of them during recess periods.

The New York Times - Health

Meanwhile, the more kindly homeroom teachers, knowing that I would be tormented on the playground, permitted me to spend recess periods indoors, where I memorized vast portions of the 1961 edition of the World Book Encyclopedia.

The New Yorker

(Note: Previous Fixes columns have focused on effective programs in education and learning: Roots of Empathy, which helps children strengthen their capacity for empathy; Playworks, which helps schools run safe and inclusive recess periods; and JUMP Math, a curriculum developed in Canada that has been shown in studies to produce significantly more learning than standard math programs).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about schools, use "recess period" to specifically denote the scheduled break for play and outdoor activities. This helps distinguish it from other breaks like lunch.

Common error

Avoid using "recess period" interchangeably with general breaks like lunch or passing periods. "Recess period" specifically refers to the time designated for unstructured play and outdoor activity, primarily in schools.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "recess period" functions primarily as a noun phrase, identifying a specific time designated for a break, often within an educational or formal setting. As Ludwig highlights, it is commonly used in various contexts, particularly those related to schools and legislative bodies.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "recess period" is a grammatically sound noun phrase commonly used to denote a scheduled break, especially in educational or governmental settings. Ludwig AI analysis, based on a multitude of real-world examples, confirms its frequent use in news, scientific and business contexts. While "recess period" is generally suitable for formal writing, other alternatives like ""break time"" or "school break" may be appropriate depending on the specific situation. Be mindful to use this phrase accurately in the right context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

legislative recess

Specifically refers to a break in legislative proceedings.

congressional recess

A period when the United States Congress is not in session.

school break

A general term for any break during the school day, encompassing recess, lunch, or passing periods.

break time

Refers to a general pause in activity, suitable for both school and non-school contexts.

free period

Indicates a time free from scheduled activities or responsibilities, often used in an educational context.

downtime

Implies a period of rest or inactivity, potentially broader than a scheduled break.

intermission

Commonly used for breaks during performances or events, less so for school.

break duration

Focuses on the length of the break, rather than the activity itself.

period of inactivity

Highlights the lack of activity during the break.

time off

A more general term for a pause from work or school, not necessarily scheduled.

FAQs

How is "recess period" used in a sentence?

The phrase "recess period" is used to describe a scheduled break in a school day for students to play. For example, "The students eagerly anticipated their daily "recess period" to play outside."

What's the difference between "recess period" and "break time"?

"Break time" is a general term for any pause in activity, while "recess period" specifically refers to a scheduled break in school for play and outdoor activities. Thus, a "recess period" is a type of "break time".

Are there alternatives to using the phrase "recess period"?

Yes, depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "school break" or "free period" in an educational setting, or "legislative recess" when discussing government.

Is it appropriate to use "recess period" in formal writing?

Yes, "recess period" is appropriate in formal writing, especially when discussing educational policies, research on child development, or legislative schedules. However, consider the context; in very formal settings, "legislative recess" might be more fitting for government contexts.