i was interrupted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was interrupted" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a situation where someone or something caused a break in your speech or activity. Example: "I was in the middle of my presentation when I was interrupted by a loud noise from outside."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

I was interrupted 35 times.

The New York Times

"I was interrupted for a number of years doing film work.

The Guardian - Books

I remember preparing for an interview one evening when I was interrupted by the phone ringing.

The Guardian

Over the course of watching, I was interrupted on my iPhone by a Tinder match.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

As I explained the purpose of the Wall, I was interrupted by a bystander who was not entirely sober.

The Guardian - Books

Part way through, I was interrupted by a man who reminded me that I had punched him in Liverpool in 2003.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

"I was interrupting your…sitting time".

The New Yorker

My God, I didn't even realize I was interrupting your private time.

The New York Times

I tried to strike up conversation with a demonstrator, a young woman in her twenties with a surgical mask around her neck, but I could see I was interrupting her tweeting.

Stanford University

Macalister uttered an unenthusiastic "Hey, you're O.K.?" and the woman said, "Dobro vece," with a hesitation in her voice that suggested that I was interrupting something delectable and delicate.

The New Yorker

Mr. GILLMOR: I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt except that I was interrupting twice.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "i was interrupted" when emphasizing that your flow was broken, whether in speech, thought, or activity.

Common error

Avoid using "i was interrupted" without specifying the cause or nature of the interruption. Provide context to make the statement meaningful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "i was interrupted" functions as an independent clause, typically serving as the main clause in a sentence. It indicates a disruption in an ongoing action or speech. Ludwig shows examples where it introduces an explanation of a change of course.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "i was interrupted" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that denotes a break in an activity, thought, or speech. Ludwig confirms its correct usage and provides numerous examples across various contexts, mostly in News & Media. While it's acceptable in both formal and informal situations, it's crucial to give context about the interruption to guarantee clarity. Alternatives such as "i faced an interruption" or "i was disturbed" offer slight variations in meaning and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

i faced an interruption

Replaces the passive voice with a more direct statement of experiencing an interruption.

i experienced a disruption

Substitutes "interrupted" with "disruption", focusing on the experience of being disturbed.

i was disturbed

A simpler and more general term for being interrupted, implying a disturbance.

i was cut off

Suggests a sudden and abrupt interruption, often in communication.

i was interfered with

Implies an external force actively causing the interruption.

my train of thought was broken

Focuses specifically on the disruption of thought process.

i was held up

Indicates a delay or obstruction in progress, similar to an interruption.

i couldn't proceed due to an interruption

Emphasizes the inability to continue because of the interruption.

my activity was halted

Highlights the cessation of activity due to an external factor.

my work was broken up

Focuses on the segmentation of work due to a disturbance.

FAQs

What does "I was interrupted" mean?

The phrase "I was interrupted" indicates that someone or something caused a break in your speech, train of thought, or activity. It implies that you were in the middle of doing something when an unexpected event or person interfered.

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

You can use "I was interrupted" to explain why you couldn't finish a task or thought. For example, "I was explaining the plan, but "I was interrupted" by a phone call."

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

You can use alternatives like "I was disturbed", "I was cut off", or "I faced an interruption" depending on the specific context.

Is "I was interrupted" formal or informal?

"I was interrupted" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal settings. The formality often depends on the context and the surrounding language.