can be interrupted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can be interrupted" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to describe an action or process that is capable of being stopped or disrupted by something else. Example: "The speaker's presentation can be interrupted by technical difficulties."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It appears to take longer than a year to complete, and can be interrupted and later resumed from the point of interruption.

Wikipedia

Power supplies can be interrupted.

The Economist

Fortunately, the cooking can be interrupted to check the food.

The New York Times - Food

This ideal cycle can be interrupted at any point.

Encyclopedia Britannica

If this natural cycle can be interrupted, the weeding task is always easier.

The New York Times

There are hundreds of ways in which Mr. Snoozleberg's dreams can be interrupted.

The New York Times - Tech

There are points when the mites can be interrupted by temperature changes.

The Guardian - Tech

It turns out there are certain conditions in which the aorta can be interrupted.

The Guardian

But, he pointed out, emergency room physicians can be interrupted dozens of times every hour.

The New York Times

Access to borders, airports, roads and seaports can be interrupted with little or no warning.

The New York Times

"This access can be interrupted by stream dams or reduced water quality from poor land management practices," he said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "can be interrupted", ensure the context clearly identifies what or who is doing the interrupting. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "can be interrupted" without specifying the cause or agent of the interruption. For instance, instead of "The process can be interrupted", specify "The process can be interrupted by power outages".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can be interrupted" functions as a passive construction indicating the possibility or susceptibility of something being stopped or disrupted. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase is common across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

36%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "can be interrupted" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression signifying the potential for disruption or cessation. Ludwig AI's analysis of various sources reveals its prevalence across scientific, news, and encyclopedic contexts. While versatile, ensure clarity by specifying the cause of interruption. Consider related phrases like "may be halted" or "could be disrupted" for nuanced expression. By avoiding vagueness and practicing context-aware usage, one can effectively employ "can be interrupted" in their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

may be halted

Replaces "can" with "may", suggesting possibility instead of capability, and "interrupted" with "halted", implying a sudden stop.

could be disrupted

Substitutes "can" with "could" for a conditional possibility and "interrupted" with "disrupted", indicating a disturbance or disorder.

might be suspended

Replaces "can" with "might", indicating a lower probability, and "interrupted" with "suspended", suggesting a temporary cessation.

may be discontinued

Uses "may" instead of "can", implying possibility, and "discontinued" in place of "interrupted", indicating a permanent stop.

could be impeded

Replaces "can" with "could", suggesting a conditional possibility, and "interrupted" with "impeded", meaning hindered or obstructed.

might be interfered with

Uses "might" instead of "can", suggesting a lower probability, and replaces "interrupted" with "interfered with", indicating external involvement.

is subject to disruption

Rephrases the sentence to emphasize the susceptibility to interruption, changing the structure and replacing "can be interrupted" with "is subject to disruption".

is liable to be broken

Emphasizes the potential for the process or activity to be terminated abruptly, using "liable to be broken" in place of "can be interrupted".

is prone to stoppage

Replaces "can be interrupted" with "is prone to stoppage", suggesting a tendency towards being stopped.

runs the risk of being cut short

Emphasizes the risk of premature termination, changing the structure and replacing "can be interrupted" with "runs the risk of being cut short".

FAQs

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

Use "can be interrupted" to indicate that a process, action, or state has the possibility of being stopped or disrupted before it is completed. For example, "The transmission "can be interrupted" by a weak signal".

What are some alternatives to saying "can be interrupted"?

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

Is it more formal to say "can be interrupted" or "is subject to disruption"?

"Is subject to disruption" is generally considered more formal than "can be interrupted". The latter is suitable for everyday language, while the former is better suited for academic or technical writing.

What does it mean when something "can be interrupted"?

When something "can be interrupted", it means that its continuation or completion is not guaranteed and it is liable to be stopped or disrupted by external factors or events.