may I interrupt for a second

USAGE SUMMARY

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

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

If I may just interrupt for a moment..

Yale University

No needle is strong enough to interrupt for a single second the holiness of a child's existence.

The Guardian

If two of the three firms wish to speak privately, the third firm may not interrupt for 5 minutes (although he or she may listen to what the others are saying).

Harvard University

"I would like to interrupt for ten seconds to say three Bush quotes," Joshua Revesz said.

The New Yorker

Therapy may be interrupted for clinically appropriate reasons, such as side effects associated with 5-ASAs and abnormal laboratory results.

BMC Gastroenterology

Service may then be interrupted for another group or groups if needed.

Los Angeles Times

The continuity was interrupted for the first time Monday when David Lee sprained his right ankle.

The New York Times - Sports

At the end of each volume application, airflow was interrupted for three seconds.

Critical Care

The data also suggest that for the purpose of producing endoglucanases, cultivation may be interrupted on the fourth day, since afterwards only small changes in enzymatic activity and consequently a decrease in productivity are observed.

BioMed Research International

The tone is interrupted for 40 ms each second by the second ticks.

Wikipedia

We went back for a second slice, interrupting Roma's catnap in the living-room recliner.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine it with a specific reason for the interruption, such as "may I interrupt for a second to clarify that last point?", to make the intrusion more acceptable

Common error

Avoid using "may I interrupt for a second" and then immediately speaking at length. The 'for a second' modifier implies a brief interjection; ignoring this time constraint can frustrate other participants

Linguistic Context

This phrase functions as a polite modal request. It utilizes the modal verb "may" to seek permission, which is a hallmark of formal English. According to Ludwig, although exact matches are rare in the dataset, the structure mirrors verified expressions like "if I may just interrupt for a moment".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "may I interrupt for a second" is a quintessential example of polite professional English. Ludwig AI confirms that while it might not appear frequently in literal string matches in scientific literature, its component parts and variants are widely used in high-authority sources like The New Yorker and Yale University. It is most effective when the speaker needs to interject without appearing aggressive. For a slightly less formal but equally polite alternative, one might use "sorry to interrupt". Ultimately, this phrase is a safe and sophisticated choice for any writer or speaker looking to navigate complex discussions with grace.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

May I interject for a moment

Uses a more formal verb choice with interject instead of interrupt

Can I interrupt for a second

Uses the modal can which is slightly less formal but more common in casual settings

If I may interrupt

A conditional structure that sounds slightly more tentative and polite

Excuse me for interrupting

Starts with an apology or request for pardon before the action

Sorry to interrupt

The most common conversational way to break into a discussion

May I chime in

Uses the phrasal verb chime in which suggests adding a brief thought

Could I stop you there

More assertive and often used to clarify a specific point during a speech

Pardon the interruption

A very formal noun-based construction often found in scripted or professional settings

Mind if I jump in

A casual and idiomatic way to join an ongoing conversation

I'd like to add something

A direct statement of intent rather than a request for permission

FAQs

Is it better to say "may I interrupt" or "can I interrupt"?

While both are common, "may I interrupt" is traditionally more correct as it specifically requests permission, whereas "can" refers to ability. In formal contexts, "may" is preferred.

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

You can use professional alternatives like "may I interject", "if I could just add", or "pardon the interruption".

How do I use "may I interrupt for a second" in a sentence?

It is typically used as a standalone question or at the start of a sentence: "may I interrupt for a second? I believe there is a misunderstanding regarding the budget figures".

Is "may I interrupt for a second" considered rude?

No, it is actually one of the most polite ways to enter a conversation. By framing it as a question and using the word "may", you acknowledge the speaker's right to the floor.