reluctant pause

USAGE SUMMARY

"reluctant pause" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a moment of hesitation or unwillingness to speak or act. For example: "She took a reluctant pause before answering the difficult question." Alternative expressions include "hesitant pause" and "unwilling pause."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Yet the decision appears a reluctant pause as Shell suggests it would have continued to drill if it had found more oil and gas and it has only halted exploration 'for the foreseeable future'.

The Guardian - Business

"In the end, what gives me reluctant pause about this bright, cheery, hard-to-resist movie is that its joyfulness feels more like a filmmaker's calculation than an honest cry from the heart about the human spirit (or, better yet, a moral tale)," she said, adding that Mr. Boyle "plucked my heartstrings" with "well-practiced dexterity, coaxing laughter and sobs out of each sweet, sour and false note".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

At times, Mr Obama has been a reluctant warrior, pausing before taking action in Libya in contrast with Mr Bush, who wanted to invade Afghanistan with such speed that even Mr Blair urged a degree of patience.

Independent

But all roads led to Beethoven, and Davis played out the obsessive rhythmic energy of the Seventh Symphony on a well-upholstered orchestra (double wind, lots of strings), reluctant even to pause for breath between movements - thus catching the frisson of that major to minor key switch from the first to the second.

Independent

I had had the whole of Australia to pick somewhere to sit, and that's where I... ...... Garner pauses, reluctant to underline the improbability.

Independent

A major American intervention would give them pause; a reluctant intercession in Syria by a hesitant America would only enhance their resolve.

The New York Times

But Mr. Jaafer, the midfielder, paused at the gateway, reluctant to enter.

The New York Times

He paused a second, as though reluctant to say what he was thinking.

Los Angeles Times

They revolved and paused and continued revolving in a reluctant sort of debke.

The Guardian - Books

Mr. Conant paused and answered, "I've been reluctant to do this, but we might have to look for indoor space in Brooklyn".

The New York Times

We might pause and rest, but we aren't reluctant travelers.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "reluctant pause" to describe a brief interruption in speech or action that stems from unwillingness or hesitation. It's effective when highlighting internal conflict or a difficult decision.

Common error

Avoid using "reluctant pause" when the reason for the pause is due to external factors (like being interrupted) or simple contemplation. "Reluctant" implies an internal resistance to continuing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reluctant pause" functions as a noun phrase where "reluctant" modifies the noun "pause". It describes a pause that is characterized by unwillingness or hesitation. This grammatical function is supported by Ludwig's examples, which show it being used to describe moments of internal conflict.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

50%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reluctant pause" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a hesitant or unwilling interruption in speech or action. While not very common, it appears in reputable sources like The Guardian and The New York Times, analyzed by Ludwig, primarily in News & Media and Academia contexts. Alternative phrases include "hesitant silence" and "unwilling hesitation". According to Ludwig AI, using the phrase effectively involves understanding the internal conflict or unwillingness driving the pause, ensuring it's not merely a break caused by external factors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hesitant silence

Replaces "pause" with "silence" to emphasize the quiet nature of the interruption and "reluctant" with "hesitant" maintaining the meaning of feeling unwilling.

unwilling hesitation

Swaps "pause" for "hesitation" emphasizing the mental state, and retains the meaning of "reluctant" by using "unwilling".

brief reluctance

Focuses on the feeling of unwillingness rather than the act of pausing, making it suitable when the feeling is more important than the action.

momentary disinclination

Uses more formal language to describe a temporary lack of enthusiasm or willingness.

forced break

Indicates that the pause is not voluntary but compelled by circumstances or another person.

brief suspension

Replaces pause with suspension, focusing on the temporary interruption or holding back.

involuntary hesitation

Highlights that the hesitation is not a choice but something that happens without conscious control.

awkward silence

Changes the focus to the social discomfort created by the pause or lack of communication.

hesitating briefly

Replaces the noun phrase with a verb phrase describing the action of pausing with hesitation.

unenthusiastic stop

Emphasizes the lack of eagerness associated with the cessation of activity, rather than the pause itself.

FAQs

How can I use "reluctant pause" in a sentence?

You can use "reluctant pause" to describe a brief interruption that stems from unwillingness or hesitation. For instance, "She took a "reluctant pause" before answering the difficult question" or "There was a "reluctant pause" in the conversation when the sensitive topic was brought up".

What are some synonyms for "reluctant pause"?

Alternatives to "reluctant pause" include "hesitant silence", "unwilling hesitation", or "brief reluctance", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "reluctant pause"?

Use "reluctant pause" when you want to emphasize that a break in speech or action is due to someone's internal reluctance or unwillingness to proceed. It's suitable when highlighting internal conflict or a difficult decision.

Is "reluctant pause" formal or informal?

The phrase "reluctant pause" is appropriate for both formal and informal contexts. It can be used in news articles, academic papers, or casual conversations.