may I interrupt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may I interrupt" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when you need to interject during a conversation or discussion politely. Example: "May I interrupt to clarify my point?" Alternative expressions include "excuse me" and "pardon me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

"Counsel, may I interrupt for just one moment, because I — there is something needling at me that I do need an answer to," Sotomayor said.

The New Yorker

And I believe that your style has suffered from the strain of constantly dramatizing social insipidity"), fights back, in accents almost of rudeness: "May I interrupt you?" Henry asked.

The New Yorker

"May I interrupt you for a moment?

The New York Times

We'll defend the bastions, keep the faith, reduce the taxes, balance the budget, solve the problems, recapture the citadel, crack the Solid South — Q — May I interrupt to ask just how your party proposes to hold the torch of liberty?

The New Yorker

May I interrupt myself to point out that there is a brand new leash-free dog park not 10 minutes from the little park where you teach your class?

The New York Times

"The Einsatzgruppen and the Einsatzkommandos weie coninianded by personnel of the Gestapo, the SD, or the Criminal Police... Additional men were detailed from the regular Police-" "Usually the smaller units were led by members... .. HOEPPNER: May I interrupt you?

Yale University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Again, just to quote one passage from the opinion, the court held there is, quote, no constitutional imperative requiring the exclusion in that case of a statement that was taken in custodial questioning that was not in any way preceded by a Miranda warning or a Miranda waiver.... JUSTICE STEVENS -- May I just interrupt you, because I do want to clarify just exactly what your position is.

The New York Times

If I may interrupt the slagging of of DAB I note that the 17.5 Mbps is an AVERAGE so some get less and some get much more.

BBC

Albert Einstein: Please, honorable Heraclitus, if I may interrupt.

Huffington Post

If I may just interrupt for a moment..

Yale University

The downregulated genes involved in lipid metabolism may indicate that TNT may interrupt lipid metabolism to some degree.

BMC Systems Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair the phrase with a specific purpose to sound more purposeful, for example, "May I interrupt to clarify that last point?"

Common error

Avoid using this phrase in highly relaxed or casual environments where it might sound sarcastic or excessively stiff. In these cases, a simpler "can I just say" or "excuse me" is usually more natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may I interrupt" functions as an interrogative polite request using the modal verb 'may'. In linguistic terms, it is a speech act used to mitigate the face-threatening nature of stopping someone else's flow of speech. Ludwig AI examples confirm that the inversion of the modal 'may' and the pronoun 'I' is the standard way to request permission in formal English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Social Media

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "may I interrupt" is a quintessential example of polite English etiquette. Ludwig AI data demonstrates its versatility across various elite domains, including The New Yorker for dramatic dialogue and ScienceDirect for technical process descriptions. While it is grammatically flawless and widely accepted as a standard for professional turn-taking, writers should be mindful of its formal register. In academic and business settings, it remains one of the most effective ways to interject without causing offense, especially when followed by a clear reason for the interruption. Overall, it is a highly recommended phrase for any speaker or writer aiming for a sophisticated and respectful tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

if I may interrupt

Adds a conditional 'if' which makes the interjection sound slightly more deferential and less direct.

may I interject

Uses a more formal verb than 'interrupt' which is often preferred in high-level intellectual or legal discussions.

sorry to interrupt

Includes an explicit apology for the intrusion, making it softer and more common in conversational English.

can I interrupt

Uses the informal 'can' instead of the formal 'may', suitable for friends, colleagues or casual settings.

pardon the interruption

A very formal noun-based phrase often used when entering a room or stopping a group discussion.

might I interrupt

Uses 'might' to express extreme politeness and tentative behavior, common in very traditional British English.

excuse me for interrupting

A standard polite opening that frames the interruption as a social minor offense requiring an excuse.

could I say something

Shifts the focus from the act of 'interrupting' to the desire to contribute 'something' to the conversation.

do you mind if I interrupt

Phases the interjection as a question regarding the other person's comfort or permission.

pardon me

A concise and versatile alternative that can serve as a prelude to an interjection without naming the act.

FAQs

Is it correct to say "may I interrupt"?

Yes, "may I interrupt" is grammatically correct and is the preferred formal way to seek permission to speak. According to Ludwig AI, it is widely used in reputable sources like The New York Times and Yale University.

What is the difference between "may I interrupt" and "can I interrupt"?

The main difference is formality. "may I interrupt" asks for permission and is very polite, whereas "can I interrupt" technically refers to your ability to do so and is much more informal.

What can I say instead of "may I interrupt" in a meeting?

In a professional meeting, you might use "may I interject", "if I may just clarify" or "pardon the interruption" to remain polite but slightly vary your vocabulary.

Can I use "may I interrupt" in an email?

While usually spoken, you can use it in a reply thread to address a specific point out of turn, though phrases like "to interject" or "sorry to jump in" are more common in written digital communication.