Cool MatePauses vs Suspension
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Pauses
Top 2,000 (common)
Suspension
Top 2,000 (common)C1noun
| Pauses | Suspension | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //pɔːzɪz//🇺🇸 //pɔzɪz// | 🇬🇧 /["/səˈspenʃn/"]/🇺🇸 /["/səˈspenʃn/"]/ |
| Meaning | Short stops in speaking or acting | a temporary stopping of something |
| Example | During her speech, she included several effective pauses to emphasize her points. | The car's suspension was adjusted to improve handling on rough roads. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | C1 |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | take a pause, brief pauses, dramatic pauses, natural pauses, long pauses | temporary, lengthy, long, give somebody, impose, order, under suspension, suspension for, suspension from, a period of suspension, suspension of disbelief, front, rear, active, be fitted with, have, system |
| Antonyms | continuations, accelerations | continuation, activation |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'pauses' vs 'pause' - singular vs plural., Using 'pauses' in a sentence without context - should specify what is paused., Incorrect verb form - 'pauses' requires consistency with the subject. | Confused with 'suspense' which means a feeling of excitement or anxiety., Using it inappropriately for permanent situations., Confusing 'suspension' with 'suspend', which is a verb. |
| Usage notes | Used to indicate a brief stop in speech for effect or thought. Appropriate in both casual and formal contexts. | Used in both formal and neutral contexts, often for legal or academic situations. Avoid in casual conversations unless referring to informal meanings like suspension of a game. |
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Frequently asked questions: Pauses vs Suspension
What's the difference between Pauses and Suspension?
Pauses: Short stops in speaking or acting Suspension: a temporary stopping of something
Can you show an example of each?
Pauses: During her speech, she included several effective pauses to emphasize her points. Suspension: The car's suspension was adjusted to improve handling on rough roads.
Can I use Pauses and Suspension interchangeably?
Not always. Pauses and Suspension are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.