resting for a while

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "resting for a while" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to taking a short break or pause from an activity or task. Example: "After a long day of hiking, we decided to sit down and enjoy the view, resting for a while before continuing our journey."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Occasionally, the combatants will tire and break off the fight by "mutual consent", resting for a while before resuming once more.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

he needs to rest for a while.

The New York Times

He rests for a while at midday having laid aside the gloves on the shelf.

The New York Times - Books

"I like to pour myself a drink and just rest for a while".

The New York Times

When the kettle has boiled, let it rest for a while.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I've been running through jungles and rivers and oceans and I think I need to rest for a while.

The Guardian - Film

He adds: "This may be the city that never sleeps, but thanks to them, we're all able to rest for a while".

The New York Times

The exerciser is encouraged to walk to the point of pain and then a little farther, to rest for a while until the pain subsides, then resume walking, for a total of about 15 to 20 minutes a session.

The New York Times - Health

The dream of many a Sunday-leaguer, it seems, has come true: "One player-manager played for a few minutes holding his beer bottle then rested for a while to finish his drink".

The Guardian

Wenger added: "We had planned to see the specialist on Thursday as I've been giving him rests for a while now and the guy told us we had to make a decision.

The Guardian - Sport

After reading the Comments section, I thought we could put the topic to rest for a while, perhaps until devices powered by Intel's very low-power Quark processor start shipping.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "resting for a while" to indicate a deliberate pause for relaxation or recovery within an ongoing activity. It's suitable for both informal and semi-formal contexts.

Common error

While "resting for a while" is versatile, avoid it in highly formal or professional documents where more precise or technical language might be expected. Consider using alternatives like 'taking a temporary cessation' or 'pausing for a defined interval'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "resting for a while" functions as a gerund phrase, often used as an adverbial modifier to indicate the duration or purpose of an action. It describes a temporary pause for relaxation or recuperation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "resting for a while" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe taking a short break for relaxation or recovery. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts. It functions as a gerund phrase, often modifying a verb to indicate the duration of a break. While versatile, it is best suited for neutral to informal situations, avoiding highly formal contexts where more precise language may be preferred. Related phrases include ""taking a short break"" and "pausing momentarily", offering similar meanings with slight variations in tone. The phrase's frequency and presence in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscore its widespread acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

taking a short break

Focuses on the act of interrupting an activity briefly.

pausing momentarily

Emphasizes the brevity of the interruption.

taking a breather

Suggests a need to recover or relax.

stopping for a moment

Highlights the action of ceasing activity.

taking a rest

A more general term for ceasing activity for recuperation.

relaxing briefly

Implies a state of ease during the pause.

taking a short recess

Suggests a more formal or structured break.

interrupting for a spell

Describes stopping an action for an unspecified period.

having a respite

Indicates a temporary relief from something difficult.

ceasing for a short period

A more formal and precise way of saying taking a break.

FAQs

How can I use "resting for a while" in a sentence?

You can use "resting for a while" to describe taking a break. For example, "After hiking, we considered "taking a short break", "pausing momentarily", or "taking a breather" depending on the context.

What are some alternatives to "resting for a while"?

Alternatives include phrases like ""taking a short break"", "pausing momentarily", or "taking a breather", which all convey similar meanings of pausing or taking a break.

Is "resting for a while" formal or informal?

"Resting for a while" is generally considered semi-formal to informal. In very formal contexts, you might prefer phrases like "temporary cessation" or "defined interval".

What's the difference between "resting for a while" and "taking a break"?

The phrases are very similar. "Taking a break" is a more common and general term, while "resting for a while" specifically implies a period of relaxation or recovery during the break. Consider alternatives like "pausing for a moment" or "relaxing briefly".