interrupt the stream

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "interrupt the stream" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to indicate that something is causing a break or disruption in a continuous flow, such as in discussions about data, video, or conversation. Example: "Please do not interrupt the stream of information during the presentation, as it may confuse the audience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Mr. Shahzad did not make it into court on Tuesday; he is said to be talking, and the authorities seemed unwilling to interrupt the stream of his consciousness.

The New York Times

Long before its 90 minutes have concluded you may be wishing for a commercial break, or at least a visit from a celebrity guest, to interrupt the stream of angry harangues.

The New York Times

Users can also manage their queue while listening to music, which won't interrupt the stream.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Spotify underwrites its free service with advertising spots that interrupt the streaming music.

The New York Times

The crystals were flash frozen in liquid nitrogen without cryoprotection, mounted directly onto the beamline, and annealed prior to data collection by interrupting the stream of nitrogen for 3 s.

EMBO Journal

You should be able to breathe deeply without interrupting the stream.

WikiHow

We interrupt the usual stream of disturbing news -- which includes Tiger Woods's emergence from "family therapy," the New Mexico basketball coach Steve Alford's being reprimanded for yelling at an opposing player, and Alex Rodriguez's latest dabbling with the truth in baseball doping issues -- to announce that it is National Sportsmanship Day.

The New York Times

Then, to verify whether 22-kHz USVs (and not other sensory factors) influence the partner's behavior, lesion and reversible inactivation techniques were applied on the auditory thalamus of the receiver rat to interrupt the primary auditory stream.

Plosone

As Senzari is still in private beta, there's no advertising interrupting the radio streams just yet, but later, the site will feature a combination of takeover ads, banners and audio ads.

TechCrunch

Other TC staff are able to access the service on and off every few minutes, but it seems like the stream is interrupted, and third-party clients like Tweetbot still appear to be having trouble connecting at all, although they're still able to send and receive direct messages.

TechCrunch

4. Interrupt the Interrupters.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "interrupt the stream" when you want to emphasize a disruption to something that is continuous or flowing, like a broadcast, data feed, or train of thought. Consider the context to choose the most precise alternative if a different nuance is needed.

Common error

While "interrupt the stream" is generally acceptable, avoid using it excessively in highly formal writing. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "disrupt the flow" or "impede the process" in academic or professional documents.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "interrupt the stream" functions as a verb phrase that describes the action of disrupting a continuous flow. As Ludwig AI highlights, this flow can be literal, such as a "stream of music", or figurative, like a "stream of consciousness".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Wiki

32%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "interrupt the stream" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that describes the action of disrupting a continuous flow. As shown by Ludwig, this flow can be literal or figurative. While versatile, it's important to consider the context when choosing this phrase. Ludwig AI confirms that it is suitable for general use, but more formal alternatives may be preferable in academic or professional writing. The phrase appears most frequently in news, science, and wiki contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disrupt the flow

Focuses on the disruption of the overall flow rather than specifically targeting a 'stream'.

break the chain

Emphasizes the breaking of a sequence or connected series.

halt the progression

Highlights stopping forward movement or development.

obstruct the course

Suggests impeding or blocking a path or direction.

impede the process

Focuses on hindering or delaying a specific process.

cut off the supply

Implies stopping the provision or delivery of something.

block the transmission

Specifically refers to preventing the sending or relaying of something, like data or signals.

suspend the broadcast

Used in the context of temporarily stopping a radio or television program.

terminate the feed

Suggests ending a continuous supply of data or information.

put a stop to

A more general expression for ending or preventing something.

FAQs

How can I use "interrupt the stream" in a sentence?

You can use "interrupt the stream" to describe something that breaks the continuity of a continuous flow. For example, "The advertising spots interrupt the streaming music."

What does it mean to "interrupt the stream of consciousness"?

To "interrupt the stream of consciousness" refers to stopping or disrupting someone's continuous flow of thoughts and feelings. It's often used in psychological or narrative contexts.

What can I say instead of "interrupt the stream"?

You can use alternatives like "disrupt the flow", "break the chain", or "halt the progression" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "interrupt the stream" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, consider using more formal alternatives like "disrupt the flow" or "impede the process" in academic or professional documents for a more sophisticated tone.