stop for a while

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "stop for a while" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when suggesting a temporary pause or break in an activity or conversation. Example: "Let's stop for a while and take a moment to gather our thoughts before continuing the discussion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

And it did stop for a while.

The New York Times

"I WOULD encourage Congress to stop for a while.

The Economist

Pregnancy got her to stop for a while.

The New York Times

She did stop for a while, but then started again.

The Guardian - Arts

She hurt her back and had to stop for a while.

Independent

You can stop for a while, but you'll always know how".

The New York Times

Work would stop for a while as everyone enjoyed the surprise.

The Guardian - Tech

If you are interrupted or stop for a while, you can quickly pick up where you left.

Columbia University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

The thefts started shortly after Hurricane Katrina when prices spiked, stopped for a while, then restarted about a year ago.

Los Angeles Times

Then we stopped for a while.

The New Yorker

She stops for a while, reconsiders.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "stop for a while" when you want to suggest a temporary pause in an activity, journey, or discussion. It implies a short duration of inactivity before resuming.

Common error

Avoid using "stop for a while" when you intend to convey a permanent end to something. This phrase specifically indicates a temporary pause, not a final conclusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stop for a while" functions primarily as a verb phrase. Ludwig examples show it often acts as the predicate of a sentence, indicating a temporary cessation of an activity or state. It implies a deliberate pause before resuming.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

16%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "stop for a while" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate a temporary pause or break. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. When employing this phrase, ensure that your intent is to suggest a short-term interruption rather than a permanent cessation. Alternative phrases such as "pause briefly" or "take a short break" can be used for variety, depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pause briefly

Emphasizes the short duration of the pause.

take a short break

Highlights the act of interrupting an activity for rest.

rest momentarily

Focuses on the rest aspect during the short pause.

suspend temporarily

Implies a formal or deliberate halting of something.

interrupt briefly

Highlights the action of cutting short an activity.

discontinue temporarily

Suggests a non-permanent ceasing of an activity.

hold off briefly

Indicates delaying something for a short period.

take a breather

An informal expression for pausing to rest.

knock off for a bit

Suggests to take a break from work or activity, usually informal.

recess briefly

Implies a formal, scheduled break, often in a meeting.

FAQs

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

You can use "stop for a while" to suggest a temporary pause in an activity, like in the sentence, "Let's "pause briefly" and then continue our work."

What's the difference between "stop for a while" and "stop permanently"?

"Stop for a while" implies a temporary break, while "stop permanently" indicates a complete and irreversible cessation. The first suggests resuming later, the second does not.

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

You can use alternatives like "take a short break", "pause briefly", or "rest momentarily", depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "stop for a while"?

Yes, "stop for a while" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to indicate a temporary interruption or pause.