pause
B1Neutral (used across all registers from informal to formal).
Definition
Meaning
a temporary stop or break in activity or speech.
In music or video: a symbol or function indicating a temporary cessation; in life: a moment of rest or reflection; in computing: a command to halt a process temporarily.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Implies a temporary, often brief, interruption with the expectation of continuation. It carries a neutral connotation of deliberate stopping, unlike 'halt' which suggests something more final or 'break' which might be longer.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant semantic differences. Both use 'pause' for temporary stops. The verb 'pause' is slightly more frequent in American English, but the noun is equally common.
Connotations
Identical in connotation.
Frequency
Very high frequency in both varieties. The noun is slightly more common than the verb in corpus data for both.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
Pause + (for + NP)Pause + to-infinitivePause + NP (direct object)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Give me pause (to cause to hesitate or reconsider)”
- “Pause for breath”
- “Pause for thought”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in meetings ('Let's pause here and revisit next week') or in project management ('We've put the rollout on pause').
Academic
Used in writing to structure arguments ('Before concluding, a brief pause to consider the counter-evidence...').
Everyday
Common in media control ('pause the TV'), conversation ('There was a pause before she answered'), and daily life ('I paused to tie my shoe').
Technical
In computing: a command to suspend execution; in music: a notation (𝄒) indicating a silence of specific duration.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- She paused the programme to answer the door.
- He paused for a moment to collect his thoughts.
- The government has paused the legislation for further consultation.
American English
- He paused the movie to get more popcorn.
- Let's pause here and take questions.
- The company paused hiring due to budget constraints.
adverb
British English
- Not a standard adverb.
American English
- Not a standard adverb.
adjective
British English
- Not a standard adjective. Used attributively in fixed compounds: 'pause button', 'pause mode'.
American English
- Not a standard adjective. Used attributively in fixed compounds: 'pause screen', 'pause function'.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Please pause the video.
- There was a short pause in the music.
- He paused before crossing the road.
- She pressed pause on the remote control.
- After a brief pause, the speaker continued her lecture.
- We should pause and think about the consequences.
- The negotiations have been paused indefinitely pending a review.
- His poignant question gave the entire room pause for thought.
- A strategic pause in the marketing campaign allowed for data analysis.
- The composer inserted a grand pause before the finale's climax, heightening the tension.
- The judge called for a pause in proceedings to allow new evidence to be submitted.
- He spoke without pause for nearly an hour, a remarkable feat of oratory.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a PAW on a STOP button. The cat's PAW makes everything PAUSE.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME/ACTIVITY IS A JOURNEY (We pause on our journey). COMMUNICATION IS A FLOW (A pause interrupts the flow of speech).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'пауза' (noun) – it's a direct cognate and correct. The verb 'to pause' is 'делать паузу'/'приостанавливать(ся)', not simply 'паузить' (anglicism). Beware of false friend 'стоп' which is more final; 'пауза' is better for a temporary break.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'pause' for a permanent stop (use 'stop' or 'end'). *'He paused his career for good.' Incorrect. 'He ended his career.' Correct. Overusing the verb form in contexts where the noun is more natural in certain constructions.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'pause' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, while often brief, a pause can be of any temporary duration (e.g., 'a pause of several years'). The key is the intention or expectation to resume.
'Pause' implies a temporary interruption with an expectation of continuation. 'Stop' is more general and can be temporary or permanent. You pause a movie, but you stop a car (which could be temporary or final).
Yes, it is commonly used as both (e.g., noun: 'a long pause'; verb: 'to pause the game'). This is called conversion or zero derivation.
Yes, the regular past tense and past participle is 'paused'. It is not an irregular verb.