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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
show on break
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "show on break" is not standard in written English. It could be used in contexts where something is being displayed or presented during a break period, but it may cause confusion. An example could be: "The presentation will be a show on break, allowing attendees to relax while learning." Alternative expressions could be "presentation during break," "display on break," or "exhibit at break."
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Wiki
Science
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
60 human-written examples
The late night correspondents are answering your questions this week while the "Daily Show" is on break.
News & Media
Al Roker, for example, the humorist and weatherman, likes to go on camera when the show is on break and have the crowd in Rockefeller Center tease the director of the show.
News & Media
"The Daily Show" was on break during the massacre last month in Newtown, Conn., and for the loud aftermath that followed – from the newly impassioned cries for gun control coming from surprising corners of the political universe, to the NRA's poorly received news conference and plan to install armed guards in schools across the county.
News & Media
In reality, as the discussions I had on my journey show, to break Britain down into four constituent parts is hopelessly simplistic.
News & Media
The Haunting of Hill House is the only show to break a 9.0 on IMDB, and that's the best metric we have, given that Netflix has completely eliminated its own user ratings from its service.
News & Media
And then I want my heart to be broken, because one thing "Buffy" does better than any show on television is break your heart.
News & Media
The case has garnered national media attention and, Bradley went on NBC's "Today" show on Monday to break a nine-day silence.
News & Media
Instead of introducing those repetitious phrases and then pulling back, using them more sparingly as the show goes on to break scenes or stories, they simply keep using them over and over until the monotony makes them unwelcome.
News & Media
There was some better football on show after the break and Marko Arnautovic had a rare shot saved by Fulham keeper David Stockdale just after the hour mark.
News & Media
(Not all the "Dark Knight Rises" screenings went smoothly; an IMAX showing on Friday broke halfway through and audience members were forced to come back on Saturday).
News & Media
After a brief stint modelling, he started acting when he was 12, appearing on Bill Cosby's TV show, before breaking out on The Wire as street-level drug dealer Wallace.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Consider using the term "on hiatus" for a more professional tone in entertainment journalism.
Common error
Avoid using the phrase when you mean something is being displayed during a physical break. In such cases, use "exhibit during the break" to prevent confusion with a television program's hiatus.
Source & Trust
89%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
In most contexts analyzed by Ludwig, the phrase functions as a noun phrase followed by a prepositional phrase describing a state of inactivity. It often appears within a subordinate clause (e.g. "while the show is on break").
Frequent in
News & Media
75%
Entertainment Journalism
15%
Wiki
10%
Less common in
Formal & Business
5%
Academic
3%
Science
2%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In conclusion, "show on break" is a standard and highly recognizable construction in English, particularly within the world of media and entertainment. Ludwig examples demonstrate that it is most often used to describe a television program that is temporarily not producing new episodes. While Ludwig AI notes that it may not always be a standalone "fixed idiom", it is perfectly acceptable and grammatically correct when part of a sentence describing a state of hiatus. For writers seeking more formal alternatives, terms like "on hiatus" or off the air are excellent substitutes that maintain the same meaning while sounding slightly more specialized.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
on hiatus
Provides a more professional and standard industry term for television shows
taking a break
Uses a more active verbal construction to describe the suspension
on winter break
Identifies a specific seasonal reason for the production hiatus
off the air
Focuses on the absence of the broadcast rather than the status of the production
on vacation
Personalizes the reason for the break usually applied to hosts or staff
temporarily suspended
Offers a much more formal and clinical description of the state
between seasons
Specifies that the break occurs at a natural production boundary
during the interval
Specific to live theater or performances rather than television broadcasts
on pause
Suggests a more abrupt or modern digital context for the suspension
during the intermission
Refers to a short scheduled break during a single event
FAQs
How do I use "show on break" in a sentence?
You can use it to describe a program's status, such as "The late-night correspondents answered questions while the "show is on break"".
What can I say instead of "show on break"?
You can use more industry-specific terms like ""on hiatus"", "off the air" or "between seasons" depending on the duration.
Is it "show on break" or "show on a break"?
Both are correct. "On break" is a common idiomatic shortening in media contexts, while "on a break" is slightly more standard in general conversation.
Does "show on break" refer to breaking news?
Usually no. While "show on breaking news" appears in some contexts, "show on break" almost exclusively refers to a hiatus. For news, use "breaking news coverage".
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
89%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested