she pauses

USAGE SUMMARY

"she pauses" is a perfectly fine sentence in written English.
You could use it in any kind of writing, to indicate that someone has paused before speaking or taking some other action. For example: "She pauses before delivering her answer, her brow creasing slightly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And then"—she pauses—"it stops.

Vice

She pauses, fishing for something more.

The New Yorker

She pauses.

The New York Times - Magazine

Here she pauses, frowning.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

She pauses for thought.

Independent

She pauses and laughs.

The New York Times

She pauses, carefully.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

She pauses, thoughtful.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

She pauses for effect.

The Guardian - Books

She pauses, momentarily amazed.

The Guardian

She pauses, pleased.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "she pauses" to create suspense or anticipation in your writing, indicating a moment of reflection, hesitation, or emotional shift.

Common error

Avoid using "she pauses" excessively in dialogue-heavy scenes. Vary your descriptions with alternatives like "she hesitates" or descriptions of body language to keep the writing dynamic.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "she pauses" is that of a statement describing an action. It indicates a momentary cessation of activity, typically speech, by a female subject. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "she pauses" is grammatically correct and very commonly used, especially in news and media contexts. It functions to describe a momentary break in action or speech, often for dramatic or emotional effect. Ludwig AI validates its correctness, while the examined examples show its frequent use across authoritative sources. When writing, consider varying your descriptions and avoid overuse. Alternatives such as "she hesitates" or "she falls silent" can add stylistic diversity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

she hesitates

This alternative emphasizes uncertainty or reluctance in her action.

she stops momentarily

This focuses on the brevity of the pause.

she interrupts herself

This suggests an abrupt and perhaps unintended break in speech.

she breaks off

This indicates a sudden termination of speech.

she falls silent

This highlights the transition to quietness.

she goes quiet

This emphasizes the absence of sound after speaking.

she trails off

This suggests a gradual decrease in the volume and clarity of her voice until it stops.

she stumbles over her words

This focuses on difficulty in speaking smoothly, leading to a pause.

she takes a breath

This highlights the physical act of pausing to breathe, implying thought or emotion.

she reflects for a moment

This emphasizes contemplation during the pause.

FAQs

How can I use "she pauses" effectively in a sentence?

Use "she pauses" to signal a shift in thought, emotion, or direction in a narrative. For instance, "She pauses, her eyes widening, before revealing the secret."

What are some alternatives to "she pauses"?

You can use alternatives like "she hesitates", "she stops momentarily", or "she falls silent" to add variety to your writing.

Is it grammatically correct to say "she pauses"?

Yes, "she pauses" is grammatically correct. The verb 'pauses' is in the third-person singular present tense, which agrees with the subject 'she'.

When is it appropriate to use "she pauses" in writing?

It is appropriate to use "she pauses" when you want to emphasize a break in speech or action, often to create dramatic effect or to indicate that a character is thinking or experiencing a strong emotion.