interrupt the discussion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "interrupt the discussion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to indicate that someone is breaking into or halting a conversation or dialogue. Example: "I didn't mean to interrupt the discussion, but I have an important point to add."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Music will regularly interrupt the discussion.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

He interrupted the discussion, a serious breach of etiquette.

The New York Times - Magazine

This allows for communication without interrupting the discussion.

Stanford University

Whether it was my father's intended outcome or not, the chair of the meeting interrupted the discussion to set my father's future in motion: "Young man," he shouted, leaning into the microphone.

The New Yorker

Mr. Bush interrupted the discussion to briefly refer to his own mishap last weekend, asking the administrator of a health center here, "Do they treat bicycle injuries?" When he was assured they do, he added: "I was wearing my helmet, I want you to know".

The New York Times

A thickly built man interrupted the discussion about stormwater runoff, saying to the small group of Muslims in the crowd, "Nobody wants your evil cult," and "Every one of you are terrorists.

Los Angeles Times

When former Arizona Governor Jan Brewer interrupted the discussion to inform Trump that his own campaign had asked surrogates to stop talking about the lawsuit, Trump repeatedly demanded to know who sent the memo, and immediately overruled his staff.

Huffington Post

Maher has on at least one occasion actually left his stage and gone out into the audience to help remove people who heckled the show and interrupted the discussion.

Huffington Post

Picture a conversation with a provider in which you mention a past illness or concern and the provider does not have to shuffle the pages of a thick folder, looking for the relevant notes and findings -- an act that interrupts the discussion and perhaps even gets it off track.

HuffPost

When former Arizona Governor Jan Brewer interrupted the discussion to inform Trump that his own campaign had asked surrogates to stop talking about the lawsuit in an e-mail on Sunday, Trump repeatedly demanded to know who sent the memo, and immediately overruled his staff.

Huffington Post

However, all of the participants need to interrupt the ongoing discussion for a review of discussion contents, thus it is desirable to finish the review in no time using the above method to find the things required in the audiovisual information.

Smart Learning Environments

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always consider the tone and context when choosing to interrupt a discussion. Ensure your contribution is relevant and respectful to avoid disrupting the flow or undermining the conversation's purpose.

Common error

Avoid constantly interrupting the discussion, as this can be perceived as rude and disrespectful. Frequent interruptions can derail the conversation and prevent others from fully expressing their thoughts. Instead, practice active listening and wait for appropriate pauses to contribute.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "interrupt the discussion" functions primarily as a verb phrase. It describes the action of breaking into or disrupting an ongoing conversation or dialogue. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts. Examples show how it is used to describe both intentional and unintentional disruptions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "interrupt the discussion" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe the act of breaking into an ongoing conversation. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It is frequently found in news, academic, and scientific contexts. While alternatives exist to convey slightly different nuances, the core meaning remains consistent. When writing, remember that overusing interruptions can be impolite. Therefore, context is important when deciding if "interrupt the discussion" is the most appropriate phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

interrupt the conversation

A very close synonym focusing on the conversational aspect.

disrupt the discussion

Indicates a disturbance that hinders the flow of the conversation.

break the discussion

Suggests a more forceful or abrupt stop to the conversation.

disturb the discussion

Highlights the disruptive effect on the conversation's progress.

halt the discussion

Implies a complete cessation of the conversation, often temporarily.

interject in the discussion

Focuses on inserting a comment or question into the existing flow.

cut into the discussion

Suggests a sharp and perhaps unwelcome entry into the conversation.

break in on the discussion

Indicates a sudden and often unwanted entry into the conversation.

chime into the discussion

Implies a brief and often welcome interjection into the conversation.

butt into the discussion

Suggests an impolite and unwelcome interruption.

FAQs

What does it mean to "interrupt the discussion"?

To "interrupt the discussion" means to break into an ongoing conversation or dialogue, often to add a point, ask a question, or change the subject. It implies a temporary halt in the flow of the conversation.

What are some alternatives to "interrupt the discussion"?

You can use alternatives such as "break the discussion", "disrupt the discussion", or "interrupt the conversation" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to "interrupt the discussion"?

It's generally appropriate to "interrupt the discussion" when you have an urgent or relevant point to add, need to clarify something, or want to redirect the conversation. However, it's important to do so respectfully and considerately.

What are the negative consequences of frequently "interrupting the discussion"?

Frequently "interrupting the discussion" can be seen as rude, disruptive, and disrespectful. It can also prevent others from fully expressing their ideas and derail the conversation from its intended purpose.