resume
B2Formal to Neutral
Definition
Meaning
to begin again or to continue after an interruption.
To restart an activity, process, or position; to occupy again (e.g., a seat); to take up a task or narrative where it was left off.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily denotes a return to an ongoing state or activity, not a first-time start. Can imply a return to normalcy after a pause.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
UK English spells the verb as 'resume', same as US. However, the noun meaning 'CV' is always spelled 'CV' (Curriculum Vitae) or 'curriculum vitae' in the UK, whereas in the US, the noun 'résumé' (with accents) or 'resume' is standard.
Connotations
The verb has the same core meaning in both varieties. The noun form (US) can cause confusion for UK speakers expecting 'CV'.
Frequency
The verb is common in both. The noun 'resume' is extremely rare in UK English and would be marked as an Americanism.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[VERB] + [OBJECT] (resume work)[VERB] + [NOUN PHRASE] (resume her duties)[VERB] + [VERB-ing] (resume working)[VERB] (intransitive) (Classes will resume.)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “resume the thread”
- “resume one's journey”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used for restarting negotiations, work, or services (e.g., 'Talks will resume next quarter.').
Academic
Used in formal writing to indicate continuing a discussion or analysis (e.g., 'The essay now resumes its examination of...').
Everyday
Used for daily activities after a break (e.g., 'Let's resume the game after lunch.').
Technical
Used in computing for processes or threads, and in broadcasting for returning to a program.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The committee will resume its deliberations tomorrow.
- Please resume your seats, the performance is about to restart.
- Traffic has resumed on the M1 after the accident.
American English
- The game resumed after a two-hour rain delay.
- She resumed her career after raising a family.
- Normal broadcasting will resume shortly.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The teacher said, 'Please resume reading.'
- After the break, the children resumed their game.
- Flight operations resumed once the fog cleared.
- He resumed his place at the head of the table.
- Peace talks are scheduled to resume in Geneva next month.
- The film resumes where the previous one left off.
- The orchestra resumed the symphony with renewed vigour after the intermission.
- Attempts to resume diplomatic relations between the two countries have so far proved futile.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: RE + SUME = to take (from Latin 'sumere') again (RE-). You RE-SUME your seat.
Conceptual Metaphor
A JOURNEY INTERRUPTED AND RESTARTED (e.g., 'resume our path'); A NARRATIVE THREAD PICKED UP AGAIN.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- False friend: Does NOT mean 'to assume' or 'to consume'. Russian 'резюме' is a noun meaning 'summary' or 'CV', but the English verb 'resume' is not related to summarizing.
- Avoid translating directly from the noun 'резюмировать' (to summarize) to the verb 'resume'.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'He resumed to work.' Correct: 'He resumed work / working.'
- Confusing the verb 'resume' with the noun 'résumé' (CV) in spelling and meaning.
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'resume' used CORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is neutral to formal. In everyday speech, 'start again' or 'continue' is often used, but 'resume' is perfectly acceptable and common in both writing and speech.
'Resume' specifically implies a stop or interruption has occurred before starting again. 'Continue' can mean to keep going without any necessary break.
In British English: /rɪˈzjuːm/ (ri-ZYOOM). In American English: /rɪˈzuːm/ (ri-ZOOM). Stress is on the second syllable.
Yes, it can be intransitive. Example: 'The rain stopped, and play resumed.'