take breaks

USAGE SUMMARY

"take breaks" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to suggest that someone should take short pauses while studying, working, or engaging in other activities. For example, "If you find yourself getting overwhelmed, take breaks to clear your head."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

HO: Do you take breaks?

Stanford University

You need to take breaks.

The New York Times - Tech

He does not take breaks.

The Guardian

Take breaks.

Duke University

Others take breaks.

TechCrunch

Take breaks yourself.

Forbes

Encourage employees to take breaks.

Forbes

Don't take breaks!

Los Angeles Times

"So I just take breaks.

Los Angeles Times

And they take breaks!

Huffington Post

"We take breaks.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing or studying for extended periods, schedule regular intervals to "take breaks". This helps maintain focus and prevents mental fatigue. For example, the Pomodoro Technique suggests a 25-minute work period followed by a 5-minute break.

Common error

A common mistake is to equate "taking breaks" with passively scrolling through social media or engaging in other screen-based activities. Instead, opt for activities that actively disengage you from the task at hand, such as stretching, taking a short walk, or practicing mindfulness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take breaks" primarily functions as an imperative verb phrase, advising or suggesting the action of pausing or interrupting an activity. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples, showing its role in recommending rest or pauses.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

35%

News & Media

33%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "take breaks" is a common and grammatically correct imperative verb phrase used to suggest or advise pausing an activity for rest and rejuvenation. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is widely used across various contexts, particularly in Wiki, News & Media, and Academia. The phrase is generally informal to neutral, suitable for both casual and professional settings. To maximize the benefits of "taking breaks", it's essential to engage in activities that actively disengage from the task at hand, such as physical activity or mindfulness, rather than passive screen-based activities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take a breather

An informal expression for pausing to rest or relax, often implying a need to catch one's breath.

step away briefly

Highlights the physical action of moving away from something for a short time.

pause intermittently

Replaces "take breaks" with a more formal and descriptive term for short pauses.

rest occasionally

Focuses on the rest aspect of taking a break, suggesting infrequent periods of relaxation.

make time to relax

Emphasizes the importance of setting aside time specifically for relaxation.

interrupt periodically

Similar to pausing, but emphasizes the action of stopping something briefly at regular intervals.

enjoy a respite

Implies a temporary period of relief from something difficult or unpleasant.

find time for pauses

Highlights the need to actively schedule breaks within a task or activity.

recess momentarily

Suggests a brief and often scheduled period of rest, akin to a school recess.

afford yourself a rest

A more formal way of suggesting that one should allow themselves time to rest.

FAQs

How can I effectively "take breaks" during long study sessions?

To effectively "take breaks", incorporate activities that are different from studying. This could involve physical activity, listening to music, or engaging in a hobby. The key is to fully disengage from academic work to refresh your mind.

What are some alternative phrases for "take breaks"?

You can use phrases like "pause intermittently", "rest occasionally", or "take a breather" as alternatives for "take breaks", depending on the context.

Why is it important to "take breaks" when working on a computer for long hours?

It is important to "take breaks" to reduce eye strain, prevent fatigue, and improve overall productivity. Prolonged screen time can lead to discomfort and decreased focus, which can be mitigated by regular breaks.

Is there a difference between "take a break" and "take breaks"?

While both phrases are correct, "take a break" typically refers to a single, specific instance of pausing an activity, whereas "take breaks" suggests a habit of pausing activities regularly. For example, "I'm going to "take a break" now" versus "It's important to "take breaks" throughout the day".