taken a break

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "taken a break" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone has paused or stopped an activity for a period of time, often to rest or recharge. Example: "After working for several hours straight, I decided it was time to have taken a break and relax for a bit."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The war had taken a break.

The New Yorker

She has taken a break from investing.

The New York Times

Patrick had taken a break from preparing lunch.

Independent

Or have you taken a break later in life?

The Guardian - Travel

He has taken a break from his medical duties to sing at the Eurovision Song Contest.

Independent

Strickland had taken a break after Helsinki to have a son.

The Guardian

Matsui had taken a break to dry off his bat and apply more pine tar.

The New York Times - Sports

Since finishing the eight-week run, she has barely taken a break.

The Guardian

The thrill of the unknown hasn't taken a break at Wimbledon.

The New York Times - Sports

But this was the first time I'd taken a break for a meditation session.

The Guardian - Travel

I had taken a break from his bedside when my sister called.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms if the context requires more formal or technical language.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "taken a break" always implies a short duration. Specify the length of the break if it's crucial to the context. For example, instead of saying "She has taken a break from work", specify "She has taken a year-long break from work" if that's the case.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "taken a break" functions as a verb phrase, indicating a temporary interruption or pause in an activity. Ludwig shows its usage in various contexts, reflecting its broad applicability. The phrase suggests a deliberate cessation of an action for a specific duration.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Taken a break" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to indicate a temporary pause or interruption in an activity. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is widely accepted and used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While generally neutral in register, the surrounding vocabulary can influence the overall formality. Common alternatives include "paused temporarily" and "stopped momentarily", offering slight variations in emphasis. When using the phrase, it's essential to provide sufficient context to clarify the reason and duration of the break for clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

paused temporarily

Emphasizes the temporary nature of the interruption; slightly more formal.

interrupted briefly

Highlights the shortness of the pause; can apply to ongoing processes or activities.

stopped momentarily

Focuses on the action of stopping; suggests a very short duration.

taken a breather

Implies a pause for rest or recovery; more informal and colloquial.

suspended activity

More formal and often used in official or business contexts.

ceased temporarily

Similar to 'suspended activity' but perhaps suggesting a clearer end point.

eased off for a bit

Informal, implies reducing effort rather than completely stopping.

taken time out

Implies a longer break, more deliberate and planned.

stepped away briefly

Focuses on physically moving away from something, more literal.

halted temporarily

Suggests a planned and controlled stop, often in formal settings.

FAQs

What does "taken a break" mean?

"Taken a break" means to have paused or stopped an activity for a period of time, often for rest or another purpose. It implies a temporary cessation of an action.

What can I say instead of "taken a break"?

You can use alternatives like "paused temporarily", "stopped momentarily", or "taken a breather" depending on the context.

How do I use "taken a break" in a sentence?

Use "taken a break" to indicate that someone has interrupted an activity. For example: "After working for hours, he had "taken a break" to grab lunch." or "She had "taken a break" from her studies to travel abroad."

Is "take a break" or "taken a break" correct?

"Take a break" is the base form (infinitive or imperative), while "taken a break" is the past participle form, often used with auxiliary verbs like 'have' or 'had'. For example, "I need to take a break" vs. "I have "taken a break"". The correct form depends on the tense of the sentence.