do not interrupt me

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "do not interrupt me" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to request someone not to speak or interject while you are speaking or presenting your thoughts. Example: "I appreciate your input, but please do not interrupt me while I am explaining my point."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"Do not interrupt me!

The New York Times

Do not interrupt me," the prisoner says.

The New Yorker

"Please do not interrupt me," he said to one lawyer as he embarked on a new digression.

The New York Times

Instead, McKee roared, "Do not interrupt me!" The student, an academic with twenty-five years of teaching experience, was struck silent.

The New Yorker

Depressingly often, the proceedings are now described as a farce, which, if accurate, reduces the witnesses to minor roles in the comedy, and their accounts of torture and executions to bits of courtroom drama padding, quite secondary to the antics of the irrepressible celebrity in the dock, who orders one witness: "Do not interrupt me, lad".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Please don't interrupt me.

The New Yorker

I beg you, don't interrupt me!

The New Yorker

Don't interrupt me, Mr Durham shoots back.

The Guardian - Business

"When I tell Father about our outing, please don't interrupt me or correct me.

The New Yorker

With that solution being architecturally infeasible, Richards came up with the idea of using a visual symbol, something that could be worn by nurses, which would signal to other people, Hey, don't interrupt me right now.

TechCrunch

BARRY Don't interrupt me.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "do not interrupt me" in a formal setting, follow it with a brief explanation to soften the directness of the command. For example, "Do not interrupt me, as I need to present these findings uninterrupted."

Common error

Avoid using "do not interrupt me" in casual conversations as it can sound overly aggressive or rude. Opt for softer alternatives like "please let me finish" or "can I finish, please?"

Linguistic Context

The phrase "do not interrupt me" functions as an imperative, a direct command or instruction. Ludwig indicates this is a valid and usable phrase in written English. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in contexts where a speaker wants to prevent being cut off.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "do not interrupt me" is a grammatically correct and commonly used imperative for asserting control in a conversation or presentation. While Ludwig confirms its validity, it's essential to consider the context and audience, as its directness can sometimes be perceived as impolite. More polite alternatives like "please let me finish" may be preferable in casual settings. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media and wiki contexts, showcasing its applicability across diverse communication scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can I finish, please?

A polite and questioning way to ask for the opportunity to complete speaking.

please let me finish

Emphasizes the desire to complete a thought or statement before being stopped; more polite.

please don't cut me off

Directly addresses the action of being abruptly stopped; less formal.

hold on, I'm not finished

Highlights the speaker's incompleteness, suggesting the interruption is premature.

please refrain from interrupting

A formal request for no further interruptions.

I haven't made my point yet

Highlights that the speaker's intended message is not yet fully conveyed.

allow me to continue

A more formal way of requesting to be permitted to proceed without interruption.

excuse me, I was speaking

Asserts that the speaker had the floor and was interrupted.

hear me out

Implies a request for attentive listening without interjection until the speaker is done.

let me get to the point

Suggests the speaker is moving towards a key piece of information and needs to convey it without being stopped.

FAQs

How can I politely say "do not interrupt me"?

You can use more polite alternatives such as "please let me finish", "can I finish, please?", or "hold on, I'm not finished" depending on the context.

Is it rude to say "do not interrupt me"?

While grammatically correct, saying "do not interrupt me" can come across as direct or even rude in informal situations. Consider the setting and your relationship with the person you are addressing.

What is a more formal way to say "do not interrupt me"?

In a formal setting, you might say "please refrain from interrupting" or "allow me to continue". These options are more polite and professional.

When is it appropriate to use "do not interrupt me"?

It's appropriate to use "do not interrupt me" when you need to maintain control of a conversation or presentation, and a degree of directness is acceptable or necessary. However, always consider the context and your audience.