butting in

USAGE SUMMARY

"butting in" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize that someone is interrupting a conversation. Example: "We were discussing our plans for the weekend, but Jim kept butting in with his own ideas."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

We are not butting in, but I would also like to advise our colleagues not to poke their noses into our affairs.

The Guardian

Nicky Campbell's topic was John Terry, of course, but news kept butting in.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

I hope you don't mind me butting in myself, but I actually love Franzen and The Corrections.

The Guardian - Books

You will likely step on some toes along the way and you may go too far on occasion, but which is worse: occasionally butting in on a subordinate's work to make a point, or not providing real-time feedback to help that subordinate grow and excel?

BBC

Son keep butting in etc.

The New York Times

"At first," I said, butting in.

The New Yorker

Some folks worry about butting in where they don't belong.

The New York Times

THE agency's publicist, Gayle Taryn, is also there, occasionally butting in.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Distributions of cranial pathologies provide evidence for head-butting in dome-headed dinosaurs (Pachycephalosauridae).

The Guardian

David Denby, in reviewing James Toback's documentary "Tyson," notes that it depicts two incidents of alleged head-butting in fights between Evander Holyfield and Mike Tyson, the first of which opened up a cut on Tyson's forehead; the second ended with Tyson biting Holyfield on the ear (The Current Cinema, May 11th).

The New Yorker

Zinedine Zidane of Juventus was sent off for head-butting in a 3-1 loss to Hamburg, Barcelona was seconds from elimination when Rivaldo equalized for a 1-1 tie at Leeds, and Manchester United looked anything but potential title candidates in losing at Anderlecht, 3-1.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To soften the impact of "butting in", use phrases like "excuse me" or "if I may add" before interjecting.

Common error

Avoid using "butting in" in formal writing or professional settings. Opt for more professional alternatives like "interjecting" or "adding to the conversation" to maintain a respectful tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "butting in" functions as a present participle verb phrase, often used within a continuous verb tense. It describes the action of interrupting a conversation or activity. As Ludwig AI explains, it emphasizes someone is interrupting.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

17%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "butting in" is a common verb phrase describing the act of interrupting, often with a negative connotation. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage emphasizes the act of interruption. Its prevalence in News & Media and Wiki sources indicates its broad use, though it's less appropriate for formal settings. Alternatives like "interrupting" or "interjecting" may be more suitable in professional contexts. When using "butting in", be mindful of the context and potential impact of the interruption to avoid causing offense.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

interrupting

This word is a general term for breaking into a conversation.

intruding

This word suggests a more unwelcome or disruptive entry.

cutting in

Similar to "butting in", but suggests a more abrupt interruption.

chimming in

This implies a more casual and sometimes welcome entry into a conversation.

breaking in

Similar to interrupting, but can also refer to interrupting a physical space.

horning in

Suggests aggressively pushing oneself into a situation uninvited.

interjecting

A more formal word for inserting a remark into a conversation.

interfering

This phrase implies a meddlesome involvement in someone else's affairs.

meddling

Similar to interfering but often carries a more negative connotation.

encroaching

Suggests gradually intruding on someone's space or rights.

FAQs

How to use "butting in" in a sentence?

You can use "butting in" to describe someone interrupting a conversation, like: "He was always "butting in" with irrelevant comments".

What can I say instead of "butting in"?

You can use alternatives such as "interrupting", "interjecting", or "chimming in" depending on the context.

Is "butting in" considered rude?

"Butting in" can be seen as rude depending on the context and how it's done. Using phrases like "excuse me" or "if I may add" can help soften the interruption.

What's the difference between "butting in" and "interrupting"?

"Butting in" often implies a more forceful or unwelcome interruption, whereas "interrupting" is a more general term for breaking into a conversation. "Butting in" has a strong negative connotation.