taking a pause

USAGE SUMMARY

"taking a pause" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to briefly stop or pause during an activity or conversation. Example: "She was telling a long story, but paused to catch her breath before continuing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

Meanwhile, People is taking a pause in its rapid growth.

The New York Times

"Chaotic," he said between cellphone rings, taking a pause.

The New York Times - Sports

If it responds by taking a pause for thought, it might even benefit.

The Economist

With fashion in flux, the very talented Ms. Branquinho seemed to be taking a pause.

The New York Times - Style

Taking a pause to look ahead, here are six issues that seem particularly salient over the coming decades.1.1

The Economist

"We all knew the economy was taking a pause, but clearly the pause was there in June, even more than we anticipated," he said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

But take a pause.

The Washington Post

She takes a pause.

The Guardian

I took a pause from "2666" yesterday.

The New Yorker

There I'm going to take a pause.

Stanford University

And could we just take a pause here?

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "taking a pause" to indicate a deliberate and thoughtful interruption in an activity or process, often for reflection or reassessment.

Common error

Avoid using "taking a pause" excessively in fast-moving action scenes or narratives, as it can disrupt the flow and slow down the pacing. Choose more dynamic verbs to maintain momentum.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "taking a pause" functions as a gerund phrase, often acting as a noun in a sentence. It describes the act of pausing or stopping, as shown in Ludwig's examples where it modifies subjects or objects within a sentence.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "taking a pause" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Functioning as a gerund phrase, it effectively signals a temporary stop for reflection or assessment. Its neutral register makes it appropriate for diverse contexts, including News & Media, Formal & Business, and Academia. When writing, consider the pace of your narrative and avoid overuse. Remember that while widely acceptable, alternative phrases such as "pausing briefly" or "taking a break" may better suit specific situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

taking a break

A more general term for stopping an activity for rest or relaxation.

breaking for a moment

Emphasizes the brevity of the break.

pausing briefly

Emphasizes the short duration of the pause.

taking time out

Suggests taking a deliberate break from something.

stopping momentarily

Highlights the act of stopping for a short time.

taking a breather

Implies pausing to rest and recover.

suspending temporarily

Focuses on the act of suspending an activity.

halting temporarily

Focuses on the temporary nature of the stop.

interrupting briefly

Suggests a short interruption of an activity.

taking a respite

Implies a pause for relief from something difficult.

FAQs

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

You can use "taking a pause" to describe a temporary stop in an activity, for example, "The company is "taking a pause" to re-evaluate its strategy before launching the new product."

What are some alternatives to "taking a pause"?

Some alternatives include "taking a break", "stopping momentarily", or "pausing briefly", depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "taking a pause"?

Yes, "taking a pause" is grammatically correct. It functions as a gerund phrase, often used to describe an action being performed.

When is it appropriate to use "taking a pause" in writing?

It is appropriate to use "taking a pause" when you want to emphasize a deliberate stop or break in an activity, often for reflection or consideration. Consider alternatives like "taking time out" if you want to emphasize intention.