I was interrupted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was interrupted" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a situation where someone or something caused a break in your speech or activity. Example: "I was in the middle of my presentation when I was interrupted by a question from the audience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

I was interrupted 35 times.

The New York Times

"I was interrupted for a number of years doing film work.

The Guardian - Books

I remember preparing for an interview one evening when I was interrupted by the phone ringing.

The Guardian

Over the course of watching, I was interrupted on my iPhone by a Tinder match.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Part way through, I was interrupted by a man who reminded me that I had punched him in Liverpool in 2003.

The Guardian

Often I was interrupted by Tony, the UPS man, with an interesting package, or by my favorite magazine arriving in the mail.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

"I was interrupting your…sitting time".

The New Yorker

My God, I didn't even realize I was interrupting your private time.

The New York Times

I tried to strike up conversation with a demonstrator, a young woman in her twenties with a surgical mask around her neck, but I could see I was interrupting her tweeting.

The New Yorker

Macalister uttered an unenthusiastic "Hey, you're O.K.?" and the woman said, "Dobro vece," with a hesitation in her voice that suggested that I was interrupting something delectable and delicate.

The New Yorker

Mr. GILLMOR: I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt except that I was interrupting twice.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the tone when describing the interruption; was it a minor inconvenience or a significant disruption?

Common error

Avoid using the phrase without clearly specifying who or what did the interrupting. For example, instead of saying "I was interrupted", specify "I was interrupted by a phone call" to provide context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was interrupted" functions as an independent clause expressing a past event where the speaker's action or speech was broken by an external factor. It indicates a passive experience where someone or something caused a break. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I was interrupted" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that an activity or speech was halted by an external factor. As Ludwig AI points out, it's readily usable in written English. While versatile, it’s most frequently found in news and media contexts. To maximize clarity, specify what caused the interruption. Consider using synonyms like "I got cut off" or "I faced an interruption" for variety. When deployed in professional settings, opting for more formal substitutes, such as "I was briefly called away", might be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I faced an interruption

Focuses on the general experience of an interruption, distancing from the specific verb "was interrupted".

I experienced a disruption

Highlights the disturbance caused by the interruption.

I got cut off

Emphasizes a sudden and abrupt halt in communication or action.

I was disturbed

Focuses on the feeling of being unsettled by the interruption.

My train of thought was broken

Specifically refers to the disruption of one's thinking process.

I had my say cut short

Specifically refers to an interruption in one's speech or contribution.

I was intruded upon

Highlights the unwelcome nature of the interruption.

I was broken off

Implies a more forceful and definitive ending to the action.

I was halted midway

Emphasizes the incompletion of the action due to the interruption.

My activity was suspended

Focuses on the temporary cessation of an activity due to an external factor.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "I was interrupted" to sound more formal?

In a more formal context, consider using phrases such as "I experienced an interruption", "My activity was suspended", or "I faced an interruption".

What's the difference between "I was interrupted" and "I was disturbed"?

"I was interrupted" indicates a break in an action or speech, while "I was disturbed" suggests emotional or mental agitation. They aren't directly interchangeable depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I have been interrupted" instead of "I was interrupted"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but they imply different timeframes. "I was interrupted" refers to a specific past event, while "I have been interrupted" suggests that interruptions have occurred over a period of time.

What can I say instead of "I was interrupted" in a professional setting?

In a professional setting, you could say "I was briefly called away", "I had an unexpected distraction", or "I experienced a brief disruption to my workflow" depending on the context.