taking a respite

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "taking a respite" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to taking a break or pause from an activity or situation to rest or recover. Example: "After weeks of intense work, she decided to take a respite and recharge her energy before starting the next project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Here Europeans and Americans live and play, many taking a respite from their United Nations work.

The New York Times - Travel

One imagines that she is taking a respite from a busy household, from bawling children and mounds of laundry.

The New York Times - Arts

Most summers, Albert J. Pirro Jr. enjoys taking a respite from his busy life as a powerful lawyer and Republican lobbyist by playing golf and fishing off Montauk.

The New York Times

And so it is throughout this tent encampment of 6,500 Syrians who are waiting out, or in some cases simply taking a respite from, the conflict just beyond the nearby border.

The New York Times

The senator, his wife, Jackie, and their two daughters, Grace, 6, in photo, and Christina, 2, are spending the holiday at their rented house in Iowa, taking a respite from campaigning.

The New York Times

But as the agent spoke on the phone, two executives of the Boston Red Sox sat in a room down the hall in his office in Newport Beach, Calif., taking a respite from their second successive day of negotiations.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Long Islanders took a respite by packing area restaurants on the Friday evening after the attacks.

The New York Times

We thought that would take a respite after the Holocaust, but it came back after a few decades.

The Washington Post

National Basketball Association owners and players took a respite from negotiations yesterday after some narrowing of their positions on revenue distribution in a late-night bargaining session.

The New York Times - Sports

Ms. McKellar was 13 when "The Wonder Years" started in 1988 and when it ended five years later, she took a respite from acting to attend U.C.L.A.

The New York Times - Science

Mr. Bush took a respite from the road for much of the week at the family vacation compound in Kennebunkport, Me.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "taking a respite" when you want to convey a sense of intentional pausing for rest or recovery, especially from something demanding or stressful. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts, adding a touch of sophistication.

Common error

Avoid using "taking a respite" too frequently in your writing. While it's a valid phrase, overuse can make your writing sound overly formal or repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "taking a break", "pausing", or "resting" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "taking a respite" functions as a gerund phrase, often acting as a noun in a sentence. It describes the act of pausing or resting. As Ludwig AI highlights, it refers to taking a break or pause from an activity to rest or recover.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "taking a respite" is a grammatically correct and usable gerund phrase that signifies the act of pausing or resting, primarily found in news and media contexts. While it's a valid expression, it's advisable to vary your language with synonyms like "taking a break" or "pausing" to avoid repetition. Ludwig AI confirms that it's correctly used when referring to taking a break or pause from an activity to rest or recover, suitable for neutral and professional contexts, as demonstrated by its presence in reputable news sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

taking a break

This alternative uses a more common and simpler term to convey the idea of pausing or stopping an activity.

taking a pause

This is a direct synonym, focusing on a temporary cessation of activity.

taking a breather

This phrase implies a short break, often needed after exertion or stress.

taking time off

This option emphasizes the duration of the break, suggesting a longer period of rest or absence.

taking downtime

This option refers to a period of inactivity or rest, often used in technical or personal contexts.

taking a hiatus

This suggests a temporary cessation, often in creative or performance-related activities.

taking leave

This is a more formal way of saying taking time off, especially from work or official duties.

taking a recess

This implies a formal or scheduled break, like in a meeting or school session.

taking a sabbatical

This suggests a more extended break, typically from work or academic duties, for rest or study.

taking a furlough

This refers to a temporary layoff or leave, often for economic or other external reasons.

FAQs

What does "taking a respite" mean?

The phrase "taking a respite" means taking a break or pause, usually from something that is difficult, stressful, or demanding. It implies a deliberate act of resting and recovering before continuing.

Is it better to say "taking a respite" or "taking a break"?

Both "taking a respite" and "taking a break" are correct, but "taking a respite" is more formal and suggests a more profound need for rest and recovery. The choice depends on the context and the desired tone.

What can I say instead of "taking a respite"?

You can use alternatives like "taking a break", "pausing", "resting", or "taking time off", depending on the context. These alternatives offer similar meanings with varying degrees of formality.

How do you use "taking a respite" in a sentence?

You can use "taking a respite" in a sentence like this: "After weeks of intense work, she decided on "taking a respite" to recharge her energy", or "The soldiers were "taking a respite" from the battle to recover".