temporary lull

USAGE SUMMARY

"temporary lull" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used in a figurative sense to describe a period of relative inactivity, such as a temporary pause in an argument or battle. For example, "We had a temporary lull in the hostilities while both sides regrouped."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

9.18 PM: I think I might start up my own awards during this temporary lull.

The Guardian - Music

With replacement rates for tablets slower than those of smartphones, a temporary lull was inevitable".

The Guardian - Tech

This diversity means that some operations may require large amounts of labor when other operations are in a temporary lull.

Cornell University

A temporary lull, accepted by Netanyahu on Tuesday, was brushed off by Hamas as "indicative of Israel's weakness".

The New Yorker

Is this merely a temporary lull in Portugal's progress, or has the rate of catch-up slowed for good?

The Economist

The "era" proved to be a temporary lull in personal and political leadership clashes while new issues were emerging.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Even the killing of Jo Cox did nothing more than cause a temporary lull in the leave mood.

The Guardian

He described the current period as "a temporary lull, with the bid and asked prices still apart".

The New York Times

"But it's much too soon to know whether this is a true plateau in prevalence or just a temporary lull".

The New York Times - Health

The temporary lull led José Manuel Barroso, president of the European Commission, to confidently declare that "the existential threat against the euro has essentially been overcome".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Previous strikes in 1991, 1993 and 1996—have bought no more than temporary lulls in Mr Hussein's misbehaviour.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "temporary lull" when you want to describe a brief period of reduced activity or intensity in an ongoing situation. It implies that the situation is expected to resume.

Common error

Avoid using "temporary lull" if the pause is expected to be long-term or permanent. In such cases, consider using terms like "hiatus" or "cessation".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "temporary lull" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "temporary" modifies the noun "lull". It typically describes a short-term pause or reduction in activity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "temporary lull" is a versatile phrase used to describe a short-term pause in activity, commonly found in news and media, as well as academic contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical structure is correct, and it effectively communicates a temporary reduction in intensity. When writing, consider alternatives like "brief respite" or "momentary calm" for stylistic variation, but be mindful of the subtle differences in meaning. Remember that "temporary lull" is best suited for situations where the activity is expected to resume.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

momentary calm

Emphasizes the brevity of the peaceful period.

temporary cessation

Formal synonym, more direct in stating a stop.

brief respite

Replaces "temporary lull" with synonyms emphasizing a short period of relief.

fleeting pause

Replaces "temporary" with "fleeting" to underscore the short duration.

short pause

Focuses on the interruption aspect of the lull, using simpler terms.

interim quiet

Highlights the intervening nature of the calm, suggesting it's between more active periods.

passing quiet

Highlights the transient nature of the calmness.

short intermission

Suggests a pause, like in a performance or ongoing event.

transient stillness

Uses more formal language to describe a fleeting state of inactivity.

brief cessation

More formal and technical, emphasizing the stopping of activity.

FAQs

How can I use "temporary lull" in a sentence?

You can use "temporary lull" to describe a short period of inactivity in an otherwise active situation. For example, "The market experienced a "temporary lull" before the next surge."

What are some alternatives to "temporary lull"?

Some alternatives include "brief respite", "short pause", or "momentary calm", depending on the context.

Is "temporary lull" formal or informal?

"Temporary lull" is generally considered appropriate for both formal and informal contexts. Its usage is common in news articles, academic papers, and everyday conversations.

What's the difference between "temporary lull" and "permanent cessation"?

"Temporary lull" implies that the inactivity is short-lived and the activity is expected to resume. "Permanent cessation", on the other hand, suggests that the activity has stopped completely and is not expected to restart.