interrupt you

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "interrupt you" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to indicate that you are going to break into someone's speech or conversation. Example: "I apologize for the interruption, but I need to interrupt you to clarify a point."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Your audience can interrupt you.

The Guardian

I did not interrupt you.

The New York Times

"I didn't mean to interrupt you".

The New Yorker

"Sorry to interrupt you," Campbell said.

The New Yorker

"May I interrupt you for a moment?

The New York Times

"I didn't interrupt you when you were talking," Mr. Putin said at one point.

The New York Times

KORESH: it says — LYNCH: Let me, can I interrupt you for a minute?

The New Yorker

"One day a lady called and said: 'Oh, Mr. Porter, I didn't mean to interrupt you.

The New York Times

We spoke a few times, but COLONEL LANDA: Mademoiselle, let me interrupt you.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

RS: This mother, by the way, to interrupt you--I met her, right, she's a sweet.

Huffington Post

"You interrupt what you do.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When needing to interject, especially in formal settings, start with a polite phrase like "Excuse me, may I interrupt you briefly?" to soften the interruption.

Common error

Avoid abruptly interjecting without any preamble. Starting with a simple apology or polite request minimizes disruption and shows respect for the speaker.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "interrupt you" functions as a verb phrase. It expresses the action of someone breaking into another person's speech or activity. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Wiki

25%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

12%

Reference

6%

Academia

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "interrupt you" is a grammatically sound and very common verb phrase used to denote the act of breaking into someone's speech or activity. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While generally neutral in tone, politeness can be amplified with modifiers like "Excuse me". It appears frequently in News & Media, Wiki, and Science contexts. When interjecting, remember to be mindful and use polite phrasing to minimize disruption.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excuse me for interrupting you

Adds a layer of politeness by explicitly apologizing for the interruption.

pardon my interruption

A more formal and polite way of apologizing for interrupting someone.

sorry to cut you off

Implies abruptly stopping someone's speech, possibly mid-sentence.

may I interject

A formal way of asking permission to insert a comment or question.

can I add something here

Indicates a desire to contribute to the current conversation.

if I may

A brief and polite way to signal an intention to speak.

let me jump in here

Suggests a more assertive entry into the conversation.

I'd like to add to that

Indicates the intention to build upon a previous point.

before you continue

Signals a need to address something before the speaker proceeds.

hold on a second

A less formal way to pause the speaker and interject.

FAQs

How can I politely "interrupt you" in a conversation?

Start with phrases like "Excuse me", "Pardon me", or "Sorry to "cut you off", but..." to soften the interruption.

What's a formal way to ask if I can "interrupt you"?

Use phrases such as "May I "interject"?" or "If I may, I'd like to add something".

Is it always rude to "interrupt you"?

While interrupting is often considered impolite, it can be acceptable in urgent situations or when clarifying a critical point. Always be mindful of the context and use polite language.

Are there alternatives to saying "Sorry to "interrupt you""?

Yes, you could say, "I apologize for the "interruption", but...", or "Before you continue, may I quickly add..." for a smoother transition.