What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
pause
Example
Let's pause for a moment and think about what we just heard. [pause: verb]
Example
The musician took a short pause before continuing with the next song. [pause: noun]
Example
There was a pause in the production line due to a technical issue. [pause: noun]
break
Example
Let's take a break and have some coffee. [break: noun]
Example
The vase fell and broke into pieces. [broke: past tense of break]
Example
The storm caused a power break, and we had to wait for it to be fixed. [break: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Break is more commonly used than pause in everyday language. Break is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while pause is less common and is typically associated with more formal situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between pause and break?
Pause is generally considered more formal than break. It is often used in professional settings such as meetings, presentations, and speeches, while break is more casual and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
