take a recess

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "take a recess" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It means to temporarily pause or suspend an activity or meeting. You can use "take a recess" in any situation where you need to take a short break from something. For example: - "After much discussion, the judge decided to take a recess before making her final ruling." - "The class will take a 10-minute recess before beginning the next lesson." - "In order to regroup and come up with a new strategy, the team decided to take a recess from the negotiations." - "The committee decided to take a recess to review the new information presented to them." - "The conference will take a recess for lunch and resume at 1:00 PM."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

The antagonists in Iraq are not about to take a recess while we celebrate Christmas.

The New York Times

This time, it was John White who broke down, and the court had to take a recess.

The New Yorker

"The court could simply take a recess, close the courtroom for solely the officer's testimony, and then excuse the jury prior to reopening the courtroom," they wrote.

The New York Times

Karen Patton Seymour, sitting at the prosecutors table, urged her colleague, Michael Schachter, who had been questioning Ms. Armstrong, to take a recess.

The New York Times

By the end of June we were supposed to have completed the whole budget process or not take a recess in July.

The New York Times

In this class of motions are the motions to fix the time at which to adjourn, to adjourn, to take a recess, and to raise questions of privilege, all of which are undebatable.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Manhattan, the world's playground, is not used to taking a recess, and so a full-blown recession strikes at the very core of not only this island's prosperity, but also its pride and its purpose.

Huffington Post

Hardin made his case to reporters when Ellison took a recess.

The New York Times

The Court here took a recess until 2 o'clock to await the arrival of the mother and sisters of Capt.

The New York Times

He read Ms. Olson the statute under which she had been accused, and she then took a recess to discuss it with her lawyers.

The New York Times

Robert S. Mueller III is mandated to leave his post on Sept. 4, so Mr. Comey would have to be confirmed before Congress takes a recess for the month of August.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "take a recess" in formal writing, ensure the context clearly indicates the purpose and duration of the break.

Common error

Avoid using "take a recess" when a more informal term like "take a break" or "take five" is more appropriate for the setting. Recess often implies a scheduled or official pause.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take a recess" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of temporarily suspending an activity. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, as seen in various examples, where it signifies a planned or necessary pause in proceedings.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Encyclopedias

12%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "take a recess" is a grammatically correct and neutrally formal way to indicate a temporary pause in an activity or proceeding. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is most commonly found in news and media contexts, often referring to breaks in legal or legislative sessions. While alternatives like "take a break" exist, "take a recess" carries a slightly more formal connotation. It is crucial to ensure the term is appropriate for the context to avoid miscommunication. The provided writing guidance and FAQs aim to clarify its usage and prevent common errors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take a break

A more general term for pausing an activity.

take a pause

Emphasizes a momentary stop.

adjourn briefly

More formal, often used in official settings.

suspend temporarily

Highlights the temporary nature of the interruption.

interrupt proceedings

Specifically refers to halting a formal process.

call a timeout

Borrowed from sports, implies a strategic pause.

take a breather

Suggests a pause for rest or recovery.

take a hiatus

Implies a longer, more defined break.

take a stoppage

Highlights the act of stopping.

break for intermission

Usually refers to a break during a performance or event.

FAQs

How to use "take a recess" in a sentence?

You can use "take a recess" to indicate a temporary pause in an activity. For example, "The judge decided to "take a recess" before delivering the verdict".

What can I say instead of "take a recess"?

Alternatives include "take a break", "take a pause", or "adjourn briefly" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "make a recess" instead of "take a recess"?

While "make a recess" might be understood, it is not as common or idiomatic as ""take a recess"". The latter is the preferred and more widely accepted phrasing.

What is the difference between "take a break" and "take a recess"?

"Take a break" is a general term for pausing an activity, while ""take a recess"" often implies a more formal or scheduled pause, such as in a meeting or trial.