take a moment to compose

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "take a moment to compose" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when advising someone to pause and gather their thoughts or feelings before responding or taking action. Example: "Before you reply to the email, take a moment to compose your thoughts to ensure your message is clear."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Everyone else, take a moment to compose yourself.

The New York Times

I take a moment to compose myself and dismiss my overactive cinematic imagination, but a paragraph from Gomorrah pops into my head, about how it's better (meaning faster and cleaner) to die from a shot to the head, than one to the heart.

Huffington Post

Take a moment to compose your thoughts.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Kostya took a moment to compose himself.

The New Yorker

She smooths back the hairs of her wig, securing it into a low ponytail, trades out her closed-toe black shoes for white ones, then takes a moment to compose herself.

The New York Times

Apparently drained at the end of a gruelling tour in which relations between the Lions and their hosts were often acrimonious, McGeechan looked stricken with grief as he clung to his lieutenant, before taking a moment to compose himself.

The Guardian - Sport

The last guy in the video takes a moment to compose his thoughts and says "Sony: fast, cheap, and Japanese".

TechCrunch

After the plane landed, Clinton took a moment to compose herself, smile... and flip her hair.

Huffington Post

I took a moment to compose my reply: "I saw something that looked so much like a gun that I feared for my life".

Huffington Post

"A lot of attention is given, rightly, to the victims of sexual offences and online images," Kate continues, before taking a moment to compose herself.

Vice

I think we all need a moment to compose ourselves before we get this going properly, wouldn't you agree?

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Before making a big purchase, "take a moment to compose" a list of pros and cons to ensure that you're making a logical decision.

Common error

While useful, avoid overusing "take a moment to compose" in casual conversation. Simpler phrases like "hold on" or "let me think" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take a moment to compose" functions as an idiomatic expression used to advise or encourage someone to pause briefly in order to gather their thoughts, calm their emotions, or prepare themselves before speaking or acting. As Ludwig AI's examples demonstrate, it's commonly used to suggest thoughtfulness and self-control.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Social Media

5%

Encyclopedias

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "take a moment to compose" is an idiomatic expression suggesting a pause for gathering thoughts or emotions before acting or speaking. Ludwig AI analysis shows it to be grammatically correct and usable in various contexts. While alternatives like "pause to collect yourself" or "stop to gather your thoughts" exist, "take a moment to compose" maintains a neutral tone and a suggestion of thoughtfulness. It is not very common, but it appears across reliable sources and is useful, as summarized by Ludwig AI.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pause to regain your composure

Directly addresses the act of calming oneself down.

pause to collect yourself

Emphasizes regaining composure, particularly after being upset.

take a breather to reflect

Highlights a short pause for thoughtful consideration.

stop to gather your thoughts

Focuses on the mental aspect of organizing one's ideas.

wait to clear your head

Focuses on removing mental clutter before proceeding.

take a break to think things over

Suggests a longer pause for a more thorough consideration.

hold on to organize your thoughts

Implies needing to maintain control while thinking.

take a pause before answering

Specifically suggests pausing before responding verbally.

allow yourself time to think

Stresses the importance of giving yourself adequate thinking time.

take a moment for introspection

Highlights internal examination and contemplation.

FAQs

How can I use "take a moment to compose" in a sentence?

You can use "take a moment to compose" to suggest pausing and gathering your thoughts or calming yourself before speaking or acting. For example, "Before you respond, "take a moment to compose" yourself."

What are some alternatives to "take a moment to compose"?

Some alternatives include "pause to collect yourself", "stop to gather your thoughts", or "pause to regain your composure", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "take a moment to compose myself/yourself/himself/herself"?

Yes, the reflexive pronoun should match the subject. "Take a moment to compose myself" is for when you are speaking about yourself, while "take a moment to compose yourself" is for when you're addressing someone else.

What is the difference between "take a moment to compose" and "take a moment to reflect"?

"Take a moment to compose" implies preparing oneself to act or speak, often in a controlled manner. "Take a moment to reflect" ("take a moment to reflect") suggests a deeper consideration of something that has already happened or a more general contemplation.