Sorry to interrupt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Sorry to interrupt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you need to interject or break into a conversation or discussion, often to ask a question or make a point. Example: "Sorry to interrupt, but I have a quick question about the project timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

"Sorry to interrupt you," Campbell said.

The New Yorker

Sorry to interrupt your TV shows.

The New York Times - Books

"Sorry to interrupt your lunch with my convention speech".

The New York Times

"Sorry to interrupt your Christmas Eve, Alex," said the police chief.

The Guardian - Books

"Sorry to interrupt your Christmas Eve again, Alex," said the police chief.

The Guardian - Books

Sorry to interrupt our non-stop election coverage, but we have some pressing business that can wait no longer.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

It was left to the Speaker, John Bercow, to interrupt the uproar in the House.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Along the way, they brushed off an attempt by Kasich to interrupt.

The New Yorker

Rebecca O'Brien Channel Four did not want Peter to interrupt the process of editing Orphans.

The Guardian - Film

Leave it to Murrow's ambitious protégé, Eric Sevareid, to interrupt this media seminar with some real news.

The New York Times

Her comment prompted Mr. Obama to interrupt with an exasperated, "Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no, no".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "Sorry to interrupt", be brief and clear with your reason for interjecting to minimize disruption.

Common error

Avoid using "Sorry to interrupt" excessively, as it can become irritating to others. If you find yourself interrupting frequently, consider alternative strategies for contributing to the conversation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Sorry to interrupt" functions as a polite interjection, used to preface a remark or question when breaking into an existing conversation or activity. It acknowledges the interruption and seeks to mitigate any potential offense. Ludwig provides numerous examples of this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Sorry to interrupt" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to politely interject in conversations or activities. Ludwig's analysis shows its frequent use in news and media contexts, serving the purpose of gaining attention while minimizing perceived rudeness. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is well-accepted, and its impact can be further enhanced by following the best practices outlined, such as being brief and clear when interrupting. While highly useful, avoid overuse to maintain a courteous tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Excuse me for interrupting

This alternative is a slightly more formal way of apologizing for the interruption.

Pardon me for the interruption

This phrase uses "pardon" instead of "sorry", offering a slightly more polite tone.

I hate to interrupt, but

Expresses reluctance to interrupt before doing so, softening the interjection.

May I interrupt for a moment

This phrase seeks permission before interrupting, showing extra courtesy.

If I may interject

This is a more formal way of asking to interrupt a discussion.

I didn't mean to interrupt

This expresses that the interruption was unintentional.

Apologies for butting in

This alternative phrase acknowledges the interruption with a more informal tone.

Just a quick interruption

This signals that the interruption will be brief and aims to minimize disruption.

Before I forget, may I add something

This approach ensures that the speaker can contribute before they lose their chance to speak.

Briefly, if I could jump in

This suggests that the speaker intends to make a short contribution before returning to the main discussion.

FAQs

How can I use "Sorry to interrupt" in a sentence?

You can use "Sorry to interrupt" at the beginning of a sentence when you need to interject in a conversation. For instance, "Sorry to interrupt, but I have a quick question about the deadline."

What's a more formal way to say "Sorry to interrupt"?

A more formal alternative would be "pardon me for the interruption" or "excuse me for interrupting".

When is it appropriate to use "Sorry to interrupt"?

It's appropriate to use "Sorry to interrupt" when you need to interject in a conversation or activity, especially if you're about to ask a question, make a point, or correct a mistake.

What can I say instead of "Sorry to interrupt" to be less intrusive?

You could say "I hate to interrupt, but" or "may I interrupt for a moment" to soften the interjection.