Pause vs. Resume: What's the Difference?
Edited by Sumera Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Updated on October 6, 2023
Pause means to temporarily stop or halt; Resume means to continue or restart after a stoppage.
Key Differences
Pause refers to a temporary cessation or interruption in an activity, action, or process. Resume, conversely, denotes the act of beginning again or continuing an activity after it has been paused or interrupted.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 06, 2023
The word Pause emphasizes a momentary break or halt, suggesting a need to stop for various reasons. Resume, in contrast, focuses on the recommencement, emphasizing the continuity or return to the original activity.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 06, 2023
For instance, in a music player, the pause button will halt the song, allowing listeners a moment of silence. The resume function, however, would allow the song to continue from where it was paused, providing continuity.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 06, 2023
Both Pause and Resume find usage across different contexts, from media playback to real-life scenarios. While you might pause a conversation to gather your thoughts, you would resume the conversation once you're ready to proceed.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 06, 2023
Comparison Chart
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Contextual Application
Implies a break in continuity
Implies a return to continuity
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 06, 2023
Pause and Resume Definitions
Pause
A control on a device that halts its function.
Press pause on the remote.
Janet White
Oct 06, 2023
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Resume
To return to or recover a previous state or practice.
He resumed his studies after a year's break.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 06, 2023
Pause
To cease or suspend an action temporarily
She paused in her piano exercises to listen for the baby.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
Resume
To bring back to attention or discussion.
Let's resume our discussion on the topic.
Harlon Moss
Oct 06, 2023
Resume
A brief account of one's professional or work experience and qualifications.
I sent my resume to the hiring manager.
Harlon Moss
Oct 06, 2023
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Resume
A brief account of one's professional or work experience and qualifications, often submitted with an employment application.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
Pause
To cease or suspend the action of temporarily; stop for an interim
Paused the printer to add more paper.
Paused the DVD with the remote.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
Pause
A break, stop, or rest, often for a calculated purpose or effect
After a dramatic pause, the lawyer finished her summation.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
Pause
A delay or suspended reaction, as from uncertainty; a hesitation
After a pause the audience broke into cheers.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
Pause
(Music) A sign, such as a fermata, indicating that a note or rest is to be held.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
Pause
A control mechanism on an audio or video player that halts the playing of a recording and permits playing to be easily resumed from the same point.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
Resume
(transitive) To start (something) again that has been stopped or paused from the point at which it was stopped or paused; continue, carry on.
We will resume this discussion tomorrow at nine.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
Pause
(intransitive) To take a temporary rest, take a break for a short period after an effort.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
Resume
(intransitive) To start again after an interruption or pause.
Normal service has resumed.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
Pause
(intransitive) To interrupt an activity and wait.
When telling the scary story, he paused for effect.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
Resume
A summary or account of education and employment experiences and qualifications; a curriculum vitae (often for presentation to a potential future employer when applying for a job).
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
Pause
(transitive) To halt the play or playback of, temporarily, so that it can be resumed from the same point.
To pause a song, a video, or a computer game
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
Resume
A summing up; a condensed statement; an abridgment or brief recapitulation.
The exellent little résumé thereof in Dr. Landsborough's book.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
Resume
To take back.
The sun, like this, from which our sight we have,Gazed on too long, resumes the light he gave.
Perhaps God will resume the blessing he has bestowed ere he attains the age of manhood.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
Pause
A temporary stop or rest; an intermission of action; interruption; suspension; cessation.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
Resume
To enter upon, or take up again.
Reason resumed her place, and Passion fled.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
Resume
To begin again; to recommence, as something which has been interrupted; as, to resume an argument or discourse.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
Pause
In writing and printing, a mark indicating the place and nature of an arrest of voice in reading; a punctuation mark.
Teach the pupil to mind the pauses.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
Resume
Return to a previous location or condition;
The painting resumed its old condition when we restored it
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
Pause
A temporary stop or rest; an intermission of action; interruption; suspension; cessation.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
Resume
To begin again or continue after an interruption.
After the interruption, the speaker resumed his speech.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 06, 2023
Pause
Temporary inaction or waiting; hesitation; suspence; doubt.
I stand in pause where I shall first begin.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
Pause
In speaking or reading aloud, a brief arrest or suspension of voice, to indicate the limits and relations of sentences and their parts.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
Pause
In writing and printing, a mark indicating the place and nature of an arrest of voice in reading; a punctuation point; as, teach the pupil to mind the pauses.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
Pause
A break or paragraph in writing.
He writes with warmth, which usually neglects method, and those partitions and pauses which men educated in schools observe.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
Pause
To make a short stop; to cease for a time; to intermit speaking or acting; to stop; to wait; to rest.
Pausing a while, thus to herself she mused.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
Pause
To hesitate; to hold back; to delay.
Why doth the Jew pause? Take thy forfeiture.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
Pause
A time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
Pause
Cease an action temporarily;
We pause for station identification
Let's break for lunch
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 30, 2022
Pause
A temporary stop or break in continuity.
Let's take a pause before we continue.
Harlon Moss
Oct 06, 2023
Pause
A brief silence or interval in speech or music.
There was a pause before the applause.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 06, 2023
FAQs
How is Resume related to Pause?
Resume means to continue or restart an activity after it has been paused.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 06, 2023
Why would one need to pause an activity?
Reasons can vary, from needing a break to interruptions.
Harlon Moss
Oct 06, 2023
Can Pause also be a noun?
Yes, e.g., "There was a brief pause in the conversation."
Aimie Carlson
Oct 06, 2023
In media players, what's the difference between Pause and Resume?
Pause halts playback; Resume continues it from the point it was halted.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 06, 2023
Does Resume only relate to paused activities?
No, Resume can also mean to continue activities that were stopped for other reasons.
Sara Rehman
Oct 06, 2023
Can a machine pause its operations?
Yes, many machines have pause functions for various reasons.
Janet White
Oct 06, 2023
What does Pause imply on its own?
Pause implies a temporary stop or break in an activity.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 06, 2023
Can Pause and Resume be used interchangeably?
No, Pause indicates a stop, while Resume denotes a continuation.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 06, 2023
How is Resume used in job applications?
It refers to a document listing one's qualifications and experience.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 06, 2023
Is Resume only a verb?
No, it's also a noun referring to a summary of qualifications and experience.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 06, 2023
Is there a time limit to how long something can be paused?
No, something can be paused briefly or for extended periods.
Harlon Moss
Oct 06, 2023
Do Pause and Resume have synonyms?
Yes. For Pause: halt, stop. For Resume: continue, restart.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 06, 2023
Can a conversation be resumed?
Yes, after a break or interruption, a conversation can be resumed.
Harlon Moss
Oct 06, 2023
Can you resume something without pausing it first?
Typically, no. Resume implies a prior stoppage, but the stop might not always be a "pause."
Sara Rehman
Oct 06, 2023
What's a common context for using Resume outside of pausing?
Job applications, where it refers to a document listing qualifications and experience.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 06, 2023
Are Pause and Resume opposites?
In many contexts, yes. Pause stops, and Resume continues.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 06, 2023
Can activities always be resumed from where they were paused?
Not always; it depends on the activity and context.
Sara Rehman
Oct 06, 2023
Is "unpause" a synonym for Resume?
Informally, yes, especially in media contexts.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 06, 2023
Why might one resume a previous activity?
Reasons could include renewed interest, necessity, or completion.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 06, 2023
Is a "pause" always noticeable?
Not necessarily; some pauses are brief or subtle.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 06, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira RiazSawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Sumera SaeedSumera is an experienced content writer and editor with a niche in comparative analysis. At Diffeence Wiki, she crafts clear and unbiased comparisons to guide readers in making informed decisions. With a dedication to thorough research and quality, Sumera's work stands out in the digital realm. Off the clock, she enjoys reading and exploring diverse cultures.
