take a pause

USAGE SUMMARY

"take a pause" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to encourage someone to take a break from an activity or to take a moment to think about a situation. For example, you could write, "Let's take a pause and think about the best way to solve this problem."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The care of children can't take a pause for bureaucracy," he added.

The New York Times

Her advice: "Take a pause, wait a few weeks and see what happens.

The New York Times

Sometimes it is good to be forced to take a pause on the ladder to success.

Independent

On Friday, QVC, the home-shopping network, said it had "decided to take a pause".

The New Yorker

"In this campaign, every time he has surged ahead, voters take a pause.

The New York Times

The faster life gets, the more important it is to take a pause.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

As you round each level, the rhythm is continually interrupted, encouraging you to take a pause.

The New York Times - Arts

The television shopping outlet QVC said it would "take a pause" in its dealings with Ms. Deen.

The New York Times - Food

Take a pause, a beat, before you say what you think you want to say to someone who's sick.

The New York Times

Mr. Saralegui said the delay allowed the filmmakers to take a pause before concerning themselves with selling the picture.

The New York Times - Style

"We should take a pause, cool the passions and work deliberately through a number of these issues".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "take a pause" when you want to suggest a temporary cessation of activity for reflection or rest. It's particularly useful in situations where careful consideration is needed before proceeding.

Common error

While "take a pause" is a useful phrase, avoid using it repetitively in close proximity. Vary your language by using synonyms like "take a break" or "take a moment" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take a pause" functions as an idiomatic expression, primarily used to suggest a temporary interruption or cessation of an activity. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable English usage, backed by numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Wiki

18%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Science

6%

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "take a pause" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to suggest a temporary stop for rest, reflection, or reconsideration. Ludwig AI confirms this, supported by numerous real-world examples primarily from News & Media and Wiki sources. While versatile, varying your language with alternatives like "take a break" or "take a moment" can enhance your writing. When using the phrase, remember its function is to encourage a deliberate break and consider if it's the most appropriate choice given the context and desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take a break

This alternative is more general, suggesting any kind of break from activity.

take a breather

This implies a short rest to recover from exertion or stress.

take a time out

This suggests a temporary removal from a situation to calm down or reassess.

take a moment

This is a more general phrase indicating a brief period of time dedicated to something.

take a rest

This suggests stopping work or activity for a period to relax and recover.

hold on

Implies a brief suspension of an action, more casual than "take a pause".

wait a moment

Similar to "hold on", it asks for a brief delay.

suspend activity

Formally indicates temporary cessation of actions.

cease temporarily

A formal way to express stopping something for a limited time.

interrupt briefly

Suggests a short disruption or break in an activity.

FAQs

What does "take a pause" mean?

The phrase "take a pause" means to stop briefly, either for rest, reflection, or to consider the next step in a process. It suggests a temporary cessation of activity.

How can I use "take a pause" in a sentence?

You can use "take a pause" in a sentence to suggest stopping briefly. For example, "Let's "take a pause" and consider our options" or "It's important to "take a pause" before reacting in anger."

What are some alternatives to "take a pause"?

Some alternatives to "take a pause" include "take a break", "take a moment", or "take a breather". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "take a pause" or "pause"?

While both "take a pause" and "pause" are correct, "take a pause" often implies a more deliberate and conscious decision to stop. Simply saying "pause" is more direct and may be suitable in contexts where brevity is preferred.