be interrupted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be interrupted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the possibility or occurrence of someone or something being stopped or disrupted during an action or process. Example: "I hope my presentation won't be interrupted by any technical issues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Blogging may be interrupted!

The New York Times

Power supplies can be interrupted.

The Economist

I was happy to be interrupted.

The New Yorker

Will that momentum be interrupted?

The Guardian - Sport

"That trend will now be interrupted.

The New York Times

This stage of mourning should never be interrupted.

Independent

And he would be interrupted by fewer commercial breaks.

The New York Times - Sports

I'm the one who doesn't want to be interrupted.

The New York Times

And he won't be interrupted, except by me".

The New Yorker

(Performances in the Winter Garden will not be interrupted).

The New York Times - Arts

This ideal cycle can be interrupted at any point.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the passive voice with "be interrupted", ensure the agent causing the interruption is clear, either explicitly stated or easily inferred from the context. For example: "The meeting will be interrupted by a fire alarm".

Common error

Avoid using "be interrupted" excessively in the passive voice, as it can make your writing sound vague or indirect. Instead, consider active voice constructions when appropriate. For example, instead of "The signal will be interrupted", try "Static will interrupt the signal".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be interrupted" primarily functions as a passive construction, indicating that something is undergoing an action (interruption) caused by an external agent. As Ludwig AI suggests, this passive usage is grammatically sound and common in various writing styles.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

31%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be interrupted" is a grammatically correct and very common passive construction used to describe the disruption of a process or state. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is widely used across various writing styles, including news, scientific publications, and general writing. While generally neutral in register, it's crucial to ensure the agent causing the interruption is clear. Consider using active voice constructions for more directness where appropriate. Alternatives such as "be disrupted" or "be halted" can be used depending on the specific context to convey a similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be disrupted

Replaces "interrupted" with "disrupted", conveying a similar meaning of disturbance or hindrance.

be disturbed

Substitutes "interrupted" with "disturbed", suggesting a sense of intrusion or botherance.

be broken up

Uses "broken up" instead of "interrupted", implying a fragmentation or termination of continuity.

be interfered with

Replaces "interrupted" with "interfered with", emphasizing external obstruction or meddling.

be suspended

Uses "suspended" to indicate a temporary cessation or postponement, similar to interruption.

be halted

Substitutes "interrupted" with "halted", suggesting an abrupt or forceful stop.

be discontinued

Replaces "interrupted" with "discontinued", implying a permanent cessation or termination.

be terminated

Uses "terminated" instead of "interrupted", suggesting a complete and final ending.

be impeded

Replaces "interrupted" with "impeded", emphasizing hindrance or obstruction of progress.

be checked

Uses "checked" to indicate a sudden stop or restraint, akin to interruption.

FAQs

How can I use "be interrupted" in a sentence?

The phrase "be interrupted" indicates that something is stopped or disrupted, often unexpectedly. For example: "The broadcast will be interrupted for a special news bulletin."

What are some alternatives to "be interrupted"?

You can use alternatives like "be disrupted", "be halted", or "be suspended" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "be interrupted" in active or passive voice?

While "be interrupted" is already in passive voice, consider rewriting the sentence in active voice for more directness and clarity. For example, instead of "The presentation will be interrupted by questions", try "Questions will interrupt the presentation".

What's the difference between "be interrupted" and "be interfered with"?

"Be interrupted" generally means a cessation or break in continuity, while "be interfered with" suggests external obstruction or meddling. For example, a phone call might be interrupted by a bad connection, but a project might be interfered with by a competitor.