interrupted

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "interrupted" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something or someone has been stopped or hindered in the middle of doing something. Example Sentence: The dinner was interrupted by a loud crash.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Commercial flight numbers and terminal passenger numbers were rising almost without interruption between 1994 and 2007, when the global financial crisis interrupted.

The Economist

It also lends an absurd quality to moments such as Kanye West's VMAs appearance in 2009, when he interrupted a Taylor Swift acceptance speech to declare that Beyoncé should have won instead.

The Guardian - Music

Zeman was born in Prague and as a teenager had his secondary school education interrupted by the Nazi wartime occupation.

The Guardian - Books

A further 6,000 deaths a year from heart attacks or strokes might have been prevented if the reduction programme had not been interrupted before resuming under an industry-dominated committee.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

If medication is interrupted or abandoned, the disease becomes resistant and new combinations of drugs must be found.

The Guardian

The piece bemoaned how the second world war had "interrupted Turing's mathematical career for six critical years between the age of 27 and 33" – and his death had deprived the world of a man who could have "made much greater discoveries".

The Guardian

At one point the governor was interrupted by an interloper who began shouting a half-audible protest about the need to protect American workers.

The Guardian

Proceedings were also interrupted by a bomb scare but Blatter's problem's are longer-term.

The Guardian - Sport

But the politics was always understated and the event was frequently interrupted by service dogs barking and the low rumble of revving engines outside.

The Guardian

Galloway arrived 90 minutes late, delivered a speech condemning Israel and then interrupted a reply being made by Eylon Aslan-Levy, a student at Brasenose College.

The Guardian

He also arranged for a written guarantee of a vacation every winter, without being interrupted by his boss.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "interrupted" to describe a temporary or unexpected break in an activity or process. For example, "The meeting was interrupted by a fire alarm."

Common error

Avoid using "interrupted" to describe something that has ended permanently. Use words like "ended", "concluded", or "terminated" instead.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "interrupted" is as the past participle or simple past tense of the verb 'interrupt'. It describes an action that breaks or disrupts the continuity of something. Ludwig confirms this usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Sport

20%

Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Travel

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "interrupted" is a versatile verb form used to describe a break or disruption in an ongoing activity or process. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. It appears frequently in news and media, sports reporting, and business contexts, indicating its neutrality in register. To avoid misuse, remember that "interrupted" implies a temporary or unexpected break rather than a permanent ending. Alternative phrases such as "disrupted", "halted", and "suspended" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disrupted

Focuses on the disturbance or disorder caused by the interruption.

halted

Emphasizes a complete stop or cessation.

suspended

Suggests a temporary cessation with the possibility of resumption.

broken off

Implies a sudden or abrupt termination.

cut short

Highlights the premature ending of something.

interfered with

Indicates an obstruction or hindrance that causes a disruption.

brought to a standstill

Emphasizes a complete cessation of movement or progress.

put on hold

Implies a temporary suspension for later continuation.

derailed

Suggests that something has been diverted from its intended course.

obstructed

Focuses on the blocking or impeding of progress.

FAQs

How can I use "interrupted" in a sentence?

Use "interrupted" to indicate that something was stopped or broken in its course. For example, "The concert was interrupted by a sudden downpour."

What's a synonym for "interrupted"?

Synonyms for "interrupted" include "disrupted", "halted", and "suspended". Choose the word that best fits the specific context.

What is the difference between "interrupted" and "stopped"?

"Interrupted" implies a temporary break in an activity, while "stopped" suggests a complete cessation. An activity can be "interrupted" and then resumed, but if it's stopped, it might not continue.

Can "interrupted" be used for both actions and events?

Yes, "interrupted" can be used for both actions (e.g., "He was interrupted while speaking") and events (e.g., "The broadcast was interrupted by a technical fault").