apologize for interrupting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "apologize for interrupting" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express regret for having interrupted someone during a conversation or discussion. Example: "I want to apologize for interrupting you earlier; I didn't mean to cut you off."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"I apologize for interrupting the relaxing that I told all of you to do, but I have an important announcement to make concerning the Federal Reserve," Mr. Obama told reporters shortly before 9 a.m.

The New York Times

We apologize for interrupting the idolatry, but wasn't it like five minutes ago that Jeter was too old, slowing down, not deserving of a huge new contract, a horrid choice for a leadoff hitter and setting the major league record for slow-roller-through-the-infield hits?

The New York Times - Sports

There's a slight rasp in his voice, and when I apologize for interrupting his rest he laughs again.

Los Angeles Times

Baier told Obama "I apologize for interrupting you, sir. I tried to get the most for our buck here".

Huffington Post

Apologize for interrupting yourself.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

That was the last time any of the justices apologized for interrupting.

The New York Times

She apologized for interrupting me, and I said, "That's what we are here for".

The New York Times

He could have gone on longer, but stopped himself and apologized for interrupting their practice.

The New York Times

Israel's television news anchors apologized for interrupting coverage of the festivities to talk about the day's violence.

The New York Times

They were so close to the bar that one patron, who was deep in conversation with a friend, apologized for interrupting their music.

The New Yorker

I apologized for interrupting her and asked what she'd been saying.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

If you anticipate needing to interrupt frequently, consider addressing it upfront. For example, "I may need to interject briefly to provide updates, and I apologize in advance for any interruptions."

Common error

Avoid using "apologize for interrupting" excessively in a short period. Frequent apologies can become distracting. Instead, focus on minimizing interruptions and being concise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "apologize for interrupting" serves as an apology or expression of regret for disrupting someone's speech or activity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a standard and usable English construction.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "apologize for interrupting" is a polite and grammatically correct phrase used to express regret for disrupting someone's speech or activity. Ludwig AI confirms its validity in written English. While it is more common in news and media contexts, it is applicable across various settings. It's important to use it judiciously and consider alternatives like "excuse me for interrupting" or "sorry to interrupt" to avoid overuse. Overusing the phrase can detract from its sincerity. Considering the level of formality and the need of the conversation can drastically change the way you choose to acknowledge such interruptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Excuse me for interrupting

This alternative directly asks for excusal after an interruption.

Pardon my interruption

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

Sorry to interrupt

This is a common and informal way to express regret for interrupting.

I didn't mean to interrupt

This expresses that the interruption was unintentional.

My apologies for the interruption

This is a formal expression of regret for the interruption.

Forgive me for cutting in

This emphasizes the act of cutting into the conversation.

I regret interrupting you

This is a more direct and formal expression of regret.

Please excuse my interruption

This politely requests that the interruption be excused.

Apologies for butting in

This uses a more casual term for interrupting.

I hope I'm not interrupting

This frames the apology as a question, hoping the interruption isn't disruptive.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use "apologize for interrupting"?

Use "apologize for interrupting" when you need to interject during a conversation or presentation. It's a polite way to acknowledge that you're breaking into someone else's speaking time.

What are some alternative ways to "apologize for interrupting"?

You can use alternatives like "excuse me for interrupting", "sorry to interrupt", or "pardon my interruption".

Is it necessary to always "apologize for interrupting"?

While it's generally polite to apologize, sometimes a simple "excuse me" is sufficient, especially in informal settings. Consider the context and your relationship with the person you're interrupting.

How can I minimize the need to "apologize for interrupting"?

Try to find natural pauses in the conversation to interject. If that's not possible, briefly signal your intention to speak before jumping in, and keep your interruption concise and relevant.