What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
pausing
Example
She paused for a moment before answering the question. [paused: verb]
Example
The speaker used a pause to emphasize the importance of his point. [pause: noun]
cessation
Example
The cessation of hostilities led to a peace agreement. [cessation: noun]
Example
He decided to quit smoking and achieved a complete cessation of the habit. [cessation: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Pausing is more commonly used than cessation in everyday language. Pausing is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while cessation is more formal and often used in legal or technical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between pausing and cessation?
Cessation is typically associated with a more formal tone and is often used in legal or technical contexts. Pausing, on the other hand, is more versatile and can be employed in both formal and informal contexts.