You can add natural pauses by using commas and periods.
Voice actors don’t read sentences exactly how they’re written; they add brief pauses in places where commas don’t exist, or they may pause to take a short breath.
To mimic these pauses and achieve a natural sound, use commas and periods.
💡 Tip: You can also add a combination of ellipses, parenthesis included (.......) after a word to give you "breathing" room.
Commas
Commas add pauses in places where a voice actor would make a small, subtle pause. If you find the AI struggling to make a good prediction for adding pauses, insert commas in these places.
Example, before modification:
An interesting question is to ask how long a straight line could be drawn with a typical HB pencil before the graphite was exhausted.
Example, after modification:
An interesting question is to ask, how long a straight line could be drawn, with a typical HB pencil, before the graphite was exhausted.
Periods
Periods create a pause plus a downward inflection. They are best used to break a long sentence up into two pieces, allowing the AI to better predict which words to emphasize.
Example, before modification:
The employer’s obligation under title one is to provide access for an individual applicant to participate in the job application process and for an individual employee with a disability to perform their essential functions, including access to a building, to the work site, to needed equipment, and to all facilities used by employees.
Example, after modification:
The employer’s obligation under title one is to provide access for an individual applicant to participate in the job application process. And for an individual employee with a disability, to perform their essential functions. Including access to a building, to the work site, to needed equipment, and to all facilities used by employees.
It may not be how you’d write it, but it will sound just like you’d say it.