suspend the conversation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "suspend the conversation" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate a temporary halt or pause in a discussion or dialogue. Example: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, we need to suspend the conversation until next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

A passenger will subconsciously stop talking if something untoward or just complicated is unfolding on the road ahead, and will expect you to suspend the conversation similarly, so she causes no important distraction at the critical moments when you need to be driving on all neurons, and you are aware of all this.

The Economist

(Messaging is nearly, but not quite, real time; the customer can start up and suspend the conversation as needed). And when it comes to traditional telephone support, offer customers a callback option so that if they don't have time right now to wait on hold, they can expect a return call within a window that works for them.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The fact that the wiretap had been officially suspended when the conversation was recorded and then released to the press was considered a trivial detail by the judge.

The Guardian - Opinion

During a conversation about whether to suspend the treatment of a dying cancer patient, the man's daughter says to her, "If this were your father, what would you do?" Montross's response is to break down in tears, and the oncologist quickly steps in front of her to take over the discussion.

The New York Times - Books

Should I suspend the contest?

The New York Times - Magazine

task_suspend - Suspend the target task.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

hypervisor to suspend the VM.

University of California, Berkeley

"Suspend the strike.

The New York Times

Selig then agreed to suspend the rule.

The New York Times - Sports

Suspend the Constitution!

Huffington Post

Suspend the pit in water.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "suspend the conversation" when you need to temporarily halt a discussion, especially if you intend to resume it later. It's appropriate in both spoken and written contexts, particularly when you want to convey a sense of order or control over the dialogue.

Common error

Avoid using "suspend the conversation" in casual conversations, as it can sound overly formal or stilted. In informal settings, opt for phrases like "let's pause here" or "can we talk about this later?" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "suspend the conversation" is as a verb phrase, where "suspend" acts as a transitive verb taking "the conversation" as its direct object. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "suspend the conversation" is a grammatically sound verb phrase used to indicate a temporary pause in a discussion, as confirmed by Ludwig. While grammatically correct, its frequency is rare. It's most commonly found in news and media contexts and carries a relatively neutral tone. For more casual settings, alternative phrases might be more appropriate. Remember to consider the context and audience when deciding whether to use this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pause the discussion

Replaces "suspend" with the more common "pause", maintaining a neutral tone.

interrupt the dialogue

Suggests a more abrupt halt to the conversation.

hold the conversation

Implies a temporary keeping of the conversation for further time, until further notice.

put the conversation on hold

Uses idiomatic expression to suggest that the conversation will be resumed later.

table the discussion

Suggests postponing the discussion to a later time, especially in formal settings.

break off the conversation

Suggests a more definitive end to the current exchange.

discontinue the conversation

Implies a complete cessation of the conversation.

cease the discussion

Formal way of saying to stop a discussion.

curtail the dialogue

Implies a reduction or shortening of the conversation.

halt the exchange

A slightly more formal way to stop the conversation.

FAQs

What does "suspend the conversation" mean?

The phrase "suspend the conversation" means to temporarily stop or postpone a discussion. It suggests a planned interruption with the possibility of resuming the conversation later.

When is it appropriate to use "suspend the conversation"?

It's appropriate to use "suspend the conversation" in situations where a formal or controlled pause in a discussion is needed, such as during meetings, negotiations, or sensitive discussions where a break is necessary.

What can I say instead of "suspend the conversation"?

You can use alternatives like "pause the discussion", "interrupt the dialogue", or "put the conversation on hold" depending on the context.

Is "suspend the conversation" formal or informal?

"Suspend the conversation" leans toward the formal side. In more casual settings, alternatives such as "let's take a break" or "can we talk later?" might be more suitable.