Talk about stopping an activity for a short rest.

The idea

Use have a break for a short pause; the past is had a break. Take a break is also common.

Examples

  • We have a break after class.
  • She has a break at noon.
  • I had a short break from work.
  • Let’s have a break before dinner.
  • The children had a break in the garden.
  • Can you have a break now?

Read-aloud uses a synthetic English voice on your device. Quality and availability vary; it does not assess pronunciation.

Watch out

Do not say do a break when you mean to rest.

Try it yourself

  1. Choose the missing word. We need to ___ a break after the meeting. (have / do)

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    have

    have follows the infinitive marker.

  2. Choose the missing word. He ___ a break every afternoon. (has / have)

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    has

    has agrees with the singular subject.

  3. Choose the missing word. They ___ a break during the trip yesterday. (had / have)

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    had

    had places the pause yesterday.

Use it today

Describe when you have a break and what you do.