taking a break from

USAGE SUMMARY

"taking a break from" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone is temporarily stopping or pausing an activity. Example: "I am taking a break from studying to grab a snack."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I was taking a break from Picasso.

The New Yorker

Taking a break from them allows your eyes to rest.

Harvard University

"I shall now be taking a break from Twitter".

Independent

He's taking a break from concours restorations — for now.

The New York Times

And I'm perfectly happy taking a break from it.

The Guardian

He is "taking a break" from advertising, Ms. Rothschild said.

The New York Times

But Mr. Albarn is taking a break from that world.

The New York Times - Arts

After the shooting, Pratt considered taking a break from school.

The New Yorker

"Taking a break from music and the spotlight.

The Guardian - Music

Taking a break from learning is common in our daily life.

European Neuropsychopharmacology

I'm taking a break from blog-writing this Thanksgiving, and I imagine most readers will be taking a break from blog-reading.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "taking a break from" to clearly indicate a temporary pause in an activity, making sure the context clarifies when the activity will resume.

Common error

Avoid using "taking a break from" if the intention is to permanently stop the activity; instead, use phrases like "stopping" or "ending."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "taking a break from" functions as a verb phrase indicating a temporary cessation or interruption of an activity. It is used to express that someone is pausing or stopping something for a period of rest or change, as shown by Ludwig's numerous examples of real usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Science

7%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "taking a break from" is a grammatically correct and very common expression used to indicate a temporary pause or interruption of an activity. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely used across various contexts, maintaining a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal communication. It functions primarily to inform that someone is temporarily disengaging from a particular task or situation. Common alternatives include "taking a pause from", "stepping away from", and "taking time off from", each offering slightly different nuances. Remember that while "taking a break from" is suitable for temporary cessations, it should not be used when referring to permanently stopping an activity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

taking a pause from

Replaces "break" with "pause", emphasizing a temporary cessation.

taking a breather from

Substitutes "break" with "breather", suggesting a short rest.

taking time off from

Emphasizes a period of absence from an activity.

stepping away from

Implies distancing oneself from an activity or situation.

taking a hiatus from

Uses "hiatus" to indicate a more formal or extended break.

suspending activity in

Formally indicates a temporary halt in a specific activity.

interrupting involvement in

Highlights a temporary disruption of engagement in something.

desisting from

Formally denotes ceasing or abstaining from an activity.

recessing from

Implies a temporary suspension, often in a structured setting.

discontinuing temporarily

Directly states a temporary cessation of an activity.

FAQs

How can I use "taking a break from" in a sentence?

You can use "taking a break from" to indicate a temporary pause in an activity. For example, "I am "taking a break from" studying to relax".

What can I say instead of "taking a break from"?

You can use alternatives like "taking a pause from", "stepping away from", or "taking time off from" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "taking a break of" instead of "taking a break from"?

No, the correct preposition to use is "from". "Taking a break of" is grammatically incorrect. Use "taking a break from" to show separation or temporary cessation.

What's the difference between "taking a break from" and "taking a vacation from"?

"Taking a break from" generally refers to a short-term pause, while "taking a vacation from" implies a longer period of rest, usually involving travel or leisure activities.