took a respite

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "took a respite" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a break or pause from an activity or situation, often to rest or recover. Example: "After working tirelessly for hours, she took a respite to recharge her energy before continuing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

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

The New York Times

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

He took a respite from the campaign trail, aides said, so he could spend Valentine's Day with his family in Chicago before returning to Wisconsin on Friday.

The New York Times

I took a respite from cassoulet and ordered cold emerald-green lettuce soup with cod tartare, roasted shoulder of Pyrenees lamb, and a strawberry dessert.

Forbes

While I was shampooing in the shower recently, my 2-year-old son took a respite from his rubber duckies to ask, "Daddy ha-ppiness?" My heart melted with paternal pride.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 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

Take a respite from the crowds clamoring to see the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Alexander McQueen retrospective, and stroll down the avenue, listening to live music and munching on food truck fare.

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "took a respite" when you want to convey a sense of temporary relief or break from a demanding or stressful situation. This phrase is particularly effective in formal writing where you aim to add a touch of elegance to your description.

Common error

Avoid using "took a respite" in everyday conversations or informal writing, as it can sound overly formal or pretentious. Opt for simpler alternatives like "took a break" or "paused" to maintain a natural and approachable tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "took a respite" functions as a verb phrase, indicating an action of pausing or taking a break. It's often used to describe a temporary cessation from an activity, as seen in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "took a respite" is a grammatically correct expression used to describe a temporary break or pause, often for relief or recovery. According to Ludwig AI, it is deemed correct and usable in written English. While not a very common phrase, it is primarily found in news and media contexts, lending it a neutral to slightly formal tone. For more informal settings, alternatives such as "took a break" may be more appropriate. The phrase's function is to communicate a deliberate pause from an activity, suggesting a need for rest or temporary relief.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

took a break

A more common and general alternative, suitable for most contexts.

paused briefly

Focuses on the action of pausing, emphasizing the interruption of an activity.

took a breather

Suggests a short rest to recover energy, often after physical exertion.

took time out

Implies setting aside a specific period for rest or relaxation.

enjoyed a pause

Highlights the pleasant aspect of the break, suggesting a moment of enjoyment.

took a recess

Similar to break but more formal, could be used in academic or legal settings.

halted temporarily

Emphasizes the temporary nature of the cessation.

interrupted briefly

Focuses on the interruption itself, rather than the rest.

took a sabbatical

Implies a longer, more formal break, often for professional development.

suspended activity

A more formal way of describing a pause, suitable for official reports or documentation.

FAQs

How can I use "took a respite" in a sentence?

The phrase "took a respite" is used to describe a temporary pause or break from an activity. For example, "After working tirelessly, she "took a respite" to recharge".

What are some alternatives to "took a respite"?

You can use alternatives like "took a break", "paused briefly", or "took time out" depending on the context.

Is "took a respite" formal or informal?

"Took a respite" leans towards being a more formal expression. In informal settings, using simpler terms like "took a break" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "took a respite" and "took a break"?

While both phrases indicate a pause, "took a respite" suggests a more deliberate and often necessary pause for relief or recovery, whereas "took a break" is a more general term for any kind of pause.