suspend briefly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "suspend briefly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating a temporary halt or pause in an action or process. Example: "We will suspend briefly to allow everyone to gather their thoughts before continuing the discussion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Photograph: Mike Bowers Updated at 3.04am BST 2.21am BST I expected the House would move straight to dealing with the mining tax, but it will suspend briefly to allow an interval between these statements and normal parliamentary business.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Mr. Bush pleaded guilty, paid a $150 fine and had his license suspended briefly.

The New York Times

Shares in ABB were suspended briefly, then soared on the news when trading resumed.

The New York Times

Mr. Jimenez was suspended briefly last year from New York airwaves after performing a parody that media watchdogs labeled homophobic.

The New York Times

Tells how Sullivan was suspended briefly for writing about Abraham Lincoln in the college humor magazine he edited & wrote.

The New Yorker

She said that the explosion was so close that services had to be suspended briefly until parishioners could compose themselves.

The New York Times

A no-fly zone was imposed in the immediate zone of the incidents and flights into local airports were suspended briefly.

The Guardian

Some identified in the memo lost their jobs, and Cengiz Candar, a columnist at Sabah, was suspended briefly and then told, he said, not to antagonize the military.

The New York Times

Search operations have been suspended briefly several times before, when the ship shifted slightly on its rocky resting place, only to be resumed afterward.

The New York Times

There have been some disciplinary issues and he was once suspended briefly by Hoffenheim for turning up late for training but that was early on in his career and he has not done it since.

The Guardian - Sport

The game was twice suspended, briefly in the first half after a large inflatable banana was thrown on to the pitch and for around 15 minutes after the interval because of objects hurled from the stands.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "suspend briefly" to indicate a planned, short-term interruption in a process or activity, often with the intention of resuming it shortly after. For example, "The meeting will suspend briefly for a coffee break."

Common error

While "suspend briefly" is grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal in casual conversation. In informal settings, consider using simpler alternatives like "pause for a sec" or "take a quick break" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "suspend briefly" primarily functions as a verb phrase, where "suspend" is the main verb indicating a temporary cessation and "briefly" is an adverb modifying the verb, specifying the duration of the suspension. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable and grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "suspend briefly" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase for indicating a short-term interruption. As Ludwig AI confirms, its function is to denote a temporary cessation, with "briefly" specifying the short duration. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral to professional registers, where its slightly formal tone is appropriate. Alternative phrases, such as "pause momentarily" or "halt temporarily", can offer similar meaning in varying contexts. Common usage is found in news, business, and scientific reporting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pause temporarily

Emphasizes the temporary nature of the pause, similar to "suspend briefly".

halt momentarily

Focuses on a brief halt, closely mirroring the meaning of "suspend briefly".

interrupt for a moment

Highlights the interruption aspect, akin to a brief suspension.

cease temporarily

Stresses a temporary cessation, comparable to "suspend briefly".

hold in abeyance briefly

Implies a temporary holding back or postponement, similar to suspending.

delay shortly

Indicates a short delay, resembling a brief suspension.

put on hold temporarily

Emphasizes the 'on hold' aspect, similar to suspending something.

discontinue temporarily

Focuses on a temporary discontinuance, much like suspending.

break for a short time

Highlights a short break, equivalent to a brief suspension.

recess briefly

Suggests a short recess or break, similar to a brief suspension.

FAQs

How can I use "suspend briefly" in a sentence?

You can use "suspend briefly" to indicate a short interruption of an activity, such as: "The parliamentary session will "pause temporarily" to allow for a procedural vote."

What are some alternatives to "suspend briefly"?

Alternatives include "pause momentarily", "halt temporarily", or "interrupt briefly". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to say "suspend briefly" or "briefly suspend"?

Both phrases are grammatically acceptable, but "suspend briefly" is more common and flows more naturally. "Briefly suspend" can sound slightly more formal or emphatic, but may be less commonly used.

In what situations is it best to use "suspend briefly"?

It's suitable for formal situations where a temporary interruption needs to be indicated. For example, in meetings, official announcements, or technical documentation.