interrupt

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "interrupt" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe an unexpected interruption, like a loud noise or an interruption of a conversation. For example: "I was about to say something when a loud noise interrupted me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Biden is prepared to interrupt Ryan and talk over him.

The Guardian

We tend to know when not to interrupt someone, how close to stand to individuals, and when eye contact is and is not appropriate, for example.

The Guardian

Herbert Henry Asquith, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, travelled to Biarritz, where Edward VII was on a holiday that he would not interrupt, 'kissed hands' and received his seals of office.

The Guardian - Opinion

Proven remedies include mediation to interrupt violence between rival gangs, targeted education and recreation projects for at-risk teenagers, and counselling and childcare support for single-parent households.

The Guardian

They also hinted that Chevron did not believe political leaders convening in Paris in December for a UN climate change summit will do much to interrupt the growing demand for fossil fuels.

The Guardian

Will his nightmare World Cup, in which the Yorkshire left-hander failed to pass 10 in four innings, interrupt that flow?

The Guardian - Sport

He's dangerous.'" Ben would regularly interrupt Alex's lessons to speak with his lifer friend Gerry.

The Guardian

It was left to the Speaker, John Bercow, to interrupt the uproar in the House.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I try to interrupt.

The Guardian - Sport

Mechanical breakers can interrupt a high-voltage DC circuit in a few tens of milliseconds.

The Economist

That is half the rate of progress of those driving just within neighbouring coastal states.Enterprises regard landlocked trading partners as unreliable, since transit states can interrupt commerce.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, consider the connotation of "interrupt". It can imply rudeness in conversational contexts, so choose alternatives like "excuse me" or "may I add" when appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "interrupt" when a more formal term like "suspend" or "discontinue" is more suitable, especially in academic or business contexts. Instead of saying "the meeting was interrupted", try "the meeting was suspended".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "interrupt" is a transitive verb, indicating an action performed on an object (e.g., "interrupt the meeting"). As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct in written English and serves to describe the act of disrupting an ongoing process.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

8%

Science

7%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "interrupt" is a versatile verb that describes the act of disrupting or halting an ongoing process. According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and widely used in written English. Its primary function is to indicate a cessation or disturbance. As shown by the examples provided by Ludwig, the phrase is most commonly found in news and media contexts. While "interrupt" has a neutral register, it's important to consider the connotation of the verb, and choose alternatives like "excuse me" or "may I add" in conversational contexts to avoid implying rudeness. Common alternatives include "disrupt", "cut off", and "break in", each carrying slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disrupt

Refers to causing a disturbance that breaks up or prevents the continuation of something.

cut off

Implies a sudden cessation or break in continuity.

break in

Indicates an intrusion or sudden interruption.

butt in

Informal term for interrupting a conversation.

interject

To say something abruptly, often to interrupt.

disturb

To interfere with someone or something, causing disruption.

suspend

To temporarily stop something from continuing.

delay

To postpone or slow down progress.

hinder

To create difficulties for someone or something, impeding progress.

obstruct

To block or get in the way of something.

FAQs

How to use "interrupt" in a sentence?

You can use "interrupt" to describe stopping an action or speech. For example, "I didn't mean to interrupt your story" or "A power outage interrupted the broadcast."

What can I say instead of "interrupt"?

You can use alternatives like "disrupt", "cut off", or "break in" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "interrupt" or "interupt"?

"Interrupt" is the correct spelling. "Interupt" is a common misspelling.

What's the difference between "interrupt" and "disrupt"?

"Interrupt" implies a temporary halt, while "disrupt" suggests a more significant disturbance that may prevent something from continuing.