What is pause? Pronunciation and usage in English

pause means . Learn how to pronounce and use pause through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of pause

pauseverb

/pɔːz/
Definition & pronunciation of pause

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "pause" in English. It's a bit tricky for some learners! Here's a breakdown:

1. The Basic Sound:

  • "Pow" - This is the core of the pronunciation. It's a short, sharp "pow" sound, like you're saying "power" quickly and emphasizing the first syllable.

2. The "s" Sound:

  • Soft "s" - This is the key difference. The "s" in "pause" is not a strong, hard "s" like in "sun." Instead, it's a very soft, almost silent "z" sound. Think of it as a quick, subtle 'z' sound blended into the "pow."

3. Putting it Together:

So, it's roughly: "Pow-z" (very quickly and smoothly)

Here's a more detailed breakdown:

  • "Pow": Pronounced like "pow" in "power." Short and sharp.
  • "z": A very quick and light "z" sound, almost like you're about to say "zoo" but cut it off abruptly. It shouldn't be a full "z" sound.

Tips for getting it right:

  • Listen to native speakers: The best way to learn is to hear it. Search on YouTube for "how to pronounce pause" and listen to many examples. Here are a few great resources:

  • Focus on the "z" sound: Really concentrate on making that tiny, quick "z" sound. It’s the most common mistake.

  • Record yourself: Record yourself saying "pause" and compare it to the native speaker pronunciations.

  • Practice slowly: At first, practice each syllable separately ("pow" and "z") before putting them together.

To help me give you even more tailored feedback, could you tell me:

  • Where are you from? (This helps me account for potential differences in your native pronunciation of the "s" sound.)

Usage and examples with the word pause in English

Let's break down how to use the word "pause" in English. It has several different meanings and uses, so it's important to understand the context. Here's a breakdown:

1. As a Verb (to stop temporarily):

  • Meaning: To briefly stop an action, speech, or music. It’s about a short interruption.
  • Examples:
    • "The music paused for a moment." (Music stopped briefly)
    • "I need to pause my thinking for a second." (Taking a short break in your thought process)
    • "He paused his speech to allow the audience to catch up." (He stopped speaking for a short time)
    • "Can I pause this video?" (Requesting to temporarily stop a video)

2. As a Noun (the act of stopping):

  • Meaning: The action of stopping temporarily.
  • Examples:
    • "There was a brief pause in the conversation." (A short break in the talking)
    • "He took a deep pause before answering the question." (He took a moment to think)
    • "The play included several dramatic pauses." (Moments of silence intentionally used for effect)

3. In Technology (specifically with digital media):

  • Meaning: A function to temporarily halt playback of audio or video.
  • Examples:
    • "Press 'P' to pause the movie." (Common on streaming services)
    • "I accidentally paused the podcast." (Stopped the podcast unintentionally)

4. Figurative Uses (More nuanced meanings):

  • Meaning: To hesitate; to be unsure. This is where it gets a little more descriptive.
  • Examples:
    • "She paused before answering, clearly unsure of what to say." (She hesitated)
    • "He paused in mid-sentence, lost for words." (He stopped speaking, unable to continue)
    • “Don't pause your dreams." (Don’t delay or abandon your aspirations)

Here's a table to summarize:

Part of Speech Meaning Example
Verb Stop temporarily “Please pause the recording.”
Noun The act of stopping “There was a long pause.”
(Tech) Halt playback “Press ‘P’ to pause the video.”
Figurative Hesitate, be unsure “She paused before speaking.”

Tips for Using "Pause" Effectively:

  • Context is key: The meaning of "pause" depends entirely on the situation.
  • Consider alternatives: If you want to emphasize a longer break, use words like "stop," "break," or "delay." If you want to express hesitation, "hesitate," "stutter," or "think" might be better choices.
  • Use short pauses in speech: Intentionally pausing for a beat can add emphasis and make your speech more dynamic.

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • What context are you thinking about when you want to use "pause"? (e.g., talking about music, computer use, a conversation, a book?)

Synonyms for the word pause

Practice with vocabulary pause

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. Before making a final decision, it's wise to ______ and consider all the implications.
  2. The speaker decided to ______ for a moment to allow the audience to digest the complex information.
  3. Due to technical difficulties, the live broadcast will ______ its regular programming for an emergency announcement.
  4. After submitting the project, the team will finally be able to ______ on their achievements and lessons learned.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. During a heated negotiation, it's often strategic to __________ before responding, allowing emotions to cool and thoughts to coalesce. a) interject b) reflect c) pause d) proceed

  2. The software application experienced an unexpected __________ in its execution, requiring the developers to investigate the error. a) continuation b) delay c) cessation d) pause

  3. When presenting complex data, a good speaker will occasionally __________ to ensure the audience can follow the information. a) elaborate b) summarize c) pause d) digress

  4. To avoid a critical mistake, the team decided to __________ the launch of the new product until all potential risks were thoroughly assessed. a) accelerate b) expedite c) defer d) resume

  5. If a meeting is running over schedule, the facilitator might __________ the discussion on a less critical point to keep things moving. a) extend b) prolong c) interrupt d) elaborate

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The speaker temporarily stopped speaking to take a sip of water. Rewrite the sentence using "pause".

  2. During the presentation, there was a brief interruption while the projector was adjusted. Rewrite the sentence using "pause" or a related word form.

  3. Management decided to put the project on hold until funding was secured. Rewrite the sentence, but do not use "pause" or any of its forms. Use a suitable replacement word.

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. pause
  2. pause
  3. interrupt
  4. reflect

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. b) reflect, c) pause
  2. b) delay, c) cessation, d) pause
  3. c) pause
  4. c) defer
  5. c) interrupt

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The speaker decided to pause to take a sip of water.
  2. During the presentation, there was a brief pause while the projector was adjusted.
  3. Management decided to suspend the project until funding was secured.

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