without a pause

USAGE SUMMARY

"without a pause" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an action that was done quickly and without interruption, such as "He spoke without a pause for nearly an hour."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He jumps right in without a pause.

The Guardian - Music

"Friendship," he replied without a pause.

The Guardian - Film

Without a pause, she jumps after me.

The New York Times - Tech

"No," he says, without a pause.

The Guardian - Music

She had reeled it off without a pause.

The New Yorker

Without a pause he says: "It doesn't worry me.

The Guardian - Film

Without a pause, he said, "Department of Corrections".

The New York Times

"No," she says, without a pause for thought.

The Guardian - Arts

"Oh no, dear," she said without a pause.

The Guardian

He has to conduct all the time, without a pause.

The Guardian - Music

"I'm working on saying it without a pause — 'I am … an entrepreneur,'" Brodie said.

Princeton University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "without a pause" to create a sense of urgency or immediacy in your writing. This can be particularly effective in narratives or when describing fast-paced events.

Common error

While generally acceptable, avoid overusing "without a pause" in highly formal or academic writing. More sophisticated synonyms like "immediately" or "incessantly" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "without a pause" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate the manner in which an action is performed. Ludwig AI highlights its role in specifying the timing and continuity of an event. For instance, "He answered without a pause" shows how quickly he responded.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "without a pause" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adverbial phrase that indicates immediacy and continuity. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and utility in describing actions performed without interruption. While it is commonly found in news articles and general writing, consider using more formal synonyms in academic or scientific contexts for enhanced precision. Remember to leverage the phrase's strength in adding a sense of urgency or flow to your narrative while avoiding overuse in highly formal documents.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

without a break

This alternative directly states the absence of any interruption, similar to the original phrase.

without delay

This phrase highlights the absence of any waiting time.

immediately

This alternative is a single word replacing the entire phrase, indicating instant action.

uninterruptedly

This emphasizes the lack of any breaks or interruptions in the action.

instantaneously

This is a more formal synonym for 'immediately', suggesting a very rapid occurrence.

continuously

This alternative focuses on the ongoing nature of an action without interruption.

at once

This alternative conveys immediacy but can also imply doing multiple things simultaneously.

right away

This option is more informal and emphasizes the lack of delay.

incessantly

This word emphasizes the continuous nature of an action, similar to 'without a pause'.

nonstop

This is a more casual way to describe something happening continuously.

FAQs

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

You can use "without a pause" to describe an action that occurs immediately after another, emphasizing the lack of interruption. For example, "She answered "without a pause", revealing her eagerness."

What are some alternatives to "without a pause"?

Alternatives include "immediately", "instantaneously", "without delay", or "incessantly", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "immediately" or "without a pause"?

While both convey a sense of immediacy, "immediately" is a single word that can often be more concise and formal. "Without a pause" can be used to add emphasis to the lack of interruption, especially in descriptive writing. The choice depends on the desired tone and context.

Can "without a pause" refer to continuous action rather than immediate succession?

Yes, "without a pause" can describe a continuous action, implying that the action never stops or falters. For example, "The music played "without a pause", filling the room with energy."