conversation was interrupted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "conversation was interrupted" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where a discussion or dialogue was halted or disrupted, often by an external factor or event. Example: "Just as I was about to make my point, the conversation was interrupted by a loud noise from outside."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

Our conversation was interrupted by the photographer needing some pictures.

The Guardian - Film

The conversation was interrupted by the singing of national anthems.

The New Yorker

Suddenly, our conversation was interrupted by furious shouting.

The New Yorker

Every few minutes, our conversation was interrupted by passersby congratulating Obama on his primary victory.

The New Yorker

Our conversation was interrupted every five minutes by the hum of the fax machine.

The New Yorker

Our conversation was interrupted regularly by speaker announcements that neither of us could turn off.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

Our conversation is interrupted at this point.

The Guardian - Books

The conversation is interrupted as her walkie-talkie crackles into life.

The Guardian - Arts

Our conversation is interrupted continually as the professor is called away to look at finds or comment on progress.

The Guardian - Travel

A conversation is interrupted by a hoary technique: "But at that moment the door was opened by Wilkes and her mother came in".

The New Yorker

This stiff conversation is interrupted by a dazed little child who has brought a letter to be sent to his parents.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "conversation was interrupted", ensure the context clearly indicates what caused the interruption. This provides clarity and prevents ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "conversation was interrupted" without specifying the interrupter or cause. Leaving this information out can confuse the reader and weaken the impact of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "conversation was interrupted" functions as a passive construction indicating that a conversation experienced a disruption. Ludwig examples show it used to describe interruptions caused by various factors, such as external events, arrivals, or technical issues.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

12%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Science

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "conversation was interrupted" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to describe a disruption in a discussion. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's common in various contexts, particularly in news and media. When using this phrase, specifying the cause of the interruption enhances clarity. While alternatives exist, "conversation was interrupted" provides a clear and neutral way to convey that a discussion was halted.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the discussion was paused

Focuses on a temporary halt in the discussion.

the discourse was disrupted

Indicates a disturbance that negatively affected the flow of conversation.

the chat was disturbed

Suggests an external factor interfered with the conversation.

the talk was halted

Emphasizes a complete stop in the speaking.

the communication was cut short

Implies the conversation ended prematurely.

the dialogue was broken off

Implies a more abrupt and possibly permanent end to the conversation.

the exchange was suspended

Highlights a temporary cessation, often with the expectation of resuming later.

the consultation was terminated

Suggests a more formal conversation was ended, possibly definitively.

the argument was broken up

Specifically refers to an interruption in a heated discussion.

the conference was adjourned

Suggests an interruption within a formal meeting context.

FAQs

How can I use "conversation was interrupted" in a sentence?

You can use "conversation was interrupted" to describe a situation where a discussion is halted by an external factor. For example, "Our conversation was interrupted by a phone call".

What can I say instead of "conversation was interrupted"?

You can use alternatives like "the discussion was paused", "the dialogue was broken off", or "the chat was disturbed" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "conversation was interrupted" in formal writing?

Yes, "conversation was interrupted" is appropriate for both formal and informal writing. The formality depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and sentence structure.

What's the difference between "conversation was interrupted" and "conversation was stopped"?

While both phrases indicate the end of a conversation, "conversation was interrupted" suggests an external cause, whereas "conversation was stopped" could imply either an external or internal decision to end the conversation.