resume

USAGE SUMMARY

"resume" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is a verb meaning to start something again after a pause or interruption. For example, "After a brief break, the class resumed the discussion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Engineers are on site and we aim to resume services as quickly as possible.

The Guardian

His quarrel was with his party, a quarrel he was ready to resume whenever the opportunity allowed.

The Guardian

We are now consulting regarding potential legal action and hoping against hope that the 12 libraries being thrown over to the community with the threat of volunteer-or-lose-it, will survive long enough for the future council members to realise their costly error and resume running this vital social and educational service.

The Guardian - Books

The case is expected to resume again on Friday of next week for directions and is likely to culminate in a hearing before the full bench of the high court.

The Guardian

After 16 days of government closure, Congress acted late Wednesday to reopen federal parks and offices and resume federal services.

The Guardian

The French president is also set to resume his cooling relationship with German chancellor Angela Merkel as the two plot to make the real decisions, in a private meeting today, about how to save the euro.

The Guardian - Business

The first and as yet only British person to contract Ebola, he is back in Sierra Leone, two months after making a full recovery, to resume his role in the fight against the disease, which is now sweeping the capital.

The Guardian

Gillard then convened an expert panel and, on its recommendation, shifted policy again to resume offshore processing on Manus Island and Nauru – as had long been advocated by the Coalition.

The Guardian

Upon returning to the hotel to resume recording, Johnson cut only one more track: the famous Cross Road Blues.

The Guardian - Travel

All things considered it has been a pretty devastating few days for the top end of Premier League, which will resume looking, beneath the powder and paint, a little bruised and bleary, wounds bound up with vinegar and brown paper.

The Guardian - Sport

It also leaves the 78-year-old, who served three terms as premier, free to resume a central role in politics at the helm of his centre-right Forza Italia party.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For formal contexts, consider using "recommence" as a more sophisticated synonym for "resume".

Common error

Avoid using "resume" as a noun when you mean a summary or curriculum vitae. The noun form "résumé" (with accents) refers to a summary of your work experience and qualifications.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "resume" is a verb, indicating the act of starting something again after a pause or interruption. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature, aligning with its frequent appearance in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Formal & Business

28%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "resume" is a versatile verb used to indicate the continuation of an activity after an interruption. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's a correct and commonly used term across various registers. While "recommence" serves as a more formal synonym, "resume" remains suitable for most contexts. Be mindful of the distinction between "resume" (verb) and "résumé" (noun) to avoid confusion. Its frequency across news, business, and scientific sources underscores its widespread applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

recommence

A more formal synonym for starting again.

recommence operations

Specifically refers to restarting a process or set of activities.

continue

A general term for carrying on without interruption, closely related to "resume".

carry on

An informal way to say continue.

pick up

To continue something after an interruption.

return to

Implies going back to a previous state or activity.

take up again

To start doing something that one has stopped doing.

start over

To begin something again, often from the beginning.

begin again

Similar to start over, but slightly more formal.

restore

To bring back to a former condition.

FAQs

How is "resume" used in a sentence?

The word "resume" can be used to indicate the act of beginning something again after an interruption, as in, "The meeting will "resume" after a short break."

What are some alternatives to the word "resume"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "continue", "recommence", or "carry on" to express a similar meaning to "resume".

Is it correct to say "resume back"?

Saying "resume back" is generally redundant because "resume" already implies going back to something. It's better to simply use "resume".

When should I use "resume" vs. "résumé"?

"Resume" (without accents) is a verb meaning to begin again. "Résumé" (with accents) is a noun meaning a summary of your qualifications and experience. Keep in mind that in written English you should use "resume" with the accent marks.