without a break

USAGE SUMMARY

"without a break" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is done for an extended period of time with no pauses. For example, "She worked without a break for 12 hours straight."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Phrase followed phrase without a break.

The New York Times - Arts

It is played without a break.

The Guardian - Music

I'll be standing all month, in fact, without a break.

Independent

"Infinite stretch without a break!" claims the box.

The New York Times

I have played four, five months without a break.

Independent

The first five games flew by without a break point.

The New York Times - Sports

Egg-throwing has continued without a break ever since.

Independent

I wrote one equation after another, without a break.

The New Yorker

"Sure," she said, without a break in typing.

The New York Times

We work 10 hours a day, often without a break.

The Guardian

Comedy flowers into tragedy, without a break or mediating pause".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an event that unfolded continuously, consider using "without a break" to highlight the seamless progression. For example, "The concert progressed without a break, creating an immersive experience for the audience."

Common error

Avoid using "without a break" when describing activities that have short, regular intervals or pauses. The phrase implies a significant duration of continuous action. For instance, don't say "He typed without a break, pausing every few seconds", because it is self-contradictory.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "without a break" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs to indicate that an action is performed continuously, without any pauses or interruptions. Ludwig examples demonstrate this across various contexts, highlighting the sustained nature of the activity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

13%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "without a break" serves as a versatile adverbial phrase used to emphasize the continuous nature of an action or state. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and appropriate for a wide range of contexts. With numerous examples from reputable sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian, its prevalence in News & Media highlights its common usage. While alternatives like "continuously" or ""uninterrupted"" may offer slight variations in formality or intensity, "without a break" remains a reliable and widely understood choice for conveying sustained effort or seamless progression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

without pause

Replaces "break" with "pause", maintaining the meaning but slightly altering the emphasis.

uninterrupted

This alternative focuses on the lack of interruption, highlighting the continuous nature of the action.

continuously

This alternative is a single word adverb that directly implies uninterrupted action, providing a more concise expression.

straight through

This alternative is more colloquial, suggesting a direct and unbroken path or duration.

non-stop

This is an informal way to say without stopping.

on end

This suggests a continuous sequence or duration, often implying a long or exhausting period.

unremittingly

This alternative emphasizes the lack of relief or pause, often used in more formal or serious contexts.

incessantly

This alternative suggests a relentless and often overwhelming continuation, adding a sense of intensity.

day and night

This alternative emphasizes continuous activity over a full day, similar to "around the clock" but slightly less intense.

around the clock

This implies activity that continues 24 hours a day. It is more emphatic and specific about the time frame.

FAQs

How can I use "without a break" in a sentence?

You can use "without a break" to describe an activity that continues uninterrupted. For instance, "She worked for ten hours "without a break" to meet the deadline."

What's a more formal way to say "without a break"?

In more formal contexts, you could use "uninterrupted" or "without pause" as alternatives.

Is it correct to say "without breaks" instead of "without a break"?

While "without breaks" is grammatically correct, ""without a break"" is generally preferred when emphasizing the continuous nature of an activity as a single, unbroken period.

What is the difference between "non-stop" and "without a break"?

While similar, "non-stop" often implies a higher level of intensity or activity, while "without a break" simply highlights the lack of interruption. "Non-stop" can also apply to things that repeat quickly, while ""without a break"" is most frequently applied to something with extended duration.