small interruption

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "small interruption" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a brief pause or disruption in an ongoing activity or conversation. Example: "There was a small interruption during the meeting when the fire alarm went off unexpectedly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Nolan joked: "Can we get back to me?" A message was immediately posted on the Loose Women Twitter account, saying: "Apologies for that small interruption".

The Guardian

"They were able to get that moment of holding up the sign and a small interruption but it didn't really go beyond a 20-second delay in the rally".

Vice

Recording information accurately is important enough to justify a small interruption.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Plus -- be it cause by Mother Nature or humans -- most Americans just aren't prepared to deal with even a small-scale interruption in services, much less a larger disaster that interrupts power.

Huffington Post

Most of the Bagatelles sound like salon music until you notice the small interruptions in rational forward movement, the little tics and hesitations of rhythm and meter.

The New York Times

Indeed, research suggests even small interruptions increase mistakes and degrade performance.

TechCrunch

"The Mystery Is in the Ordinary, Uncool Things" - An Interview with Author Juliet Escoria .

Vice

The narration also contains small interruptions that embody the basic themes.

BMC Health Services Research

Indeed, in annotating the new S. bayanus assembly it was clear that most gaps caused small interruptions in gene sequences rather than gene absences.

G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics

We therefore expected LE to represent the change in connectivity patterns as a one-dimensional structure with relatively small interruptions, especially compared to other cortical regions where the change in connectivity is more sharp.

Human Brain Mapping

Basement membrane integrity was determined using periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) stained slides, and was scored by SM on a scale of 0 3: 0- continuous with no breaching, 1- a few small interruptions, 2- several interruptions with breaching by tumor cells, 3- extensive loss of basement membrane with invasion of tumor cells over the breached area; observations were performed under 10X magnification.

BMC Cancer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an event, use "small interruption" to downplay its significance and maintain a sense of continuity.

Common error

Avoid using "small interruption" when the disruption is actually significant. Choose a more accurate term to reflect the true impact of the event.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "small interruption" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct, describing a brief disruption or pause.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Wiki

32%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "small interruption" is a grammatically sound and usable English expression, albeit relatively infrequent. As Ludwig AI confirms, it accurately describes a brief pause or disruption, minimizing its impact. While found in varied sources like news, wikis and scientific articles, the usage is not overwhelming, making it a less common expression than alternatives like "brief disruption". When using "small interruption", ensure that the event’s impact is indeed minor to avoid misrepresentation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

brief disruption

Focuses on the disruptive nature of the event, emphasizing its short duration.

minor disturbance

Highlights the insignificance of the interruption, portraying it as a slight inconvenience.

slight pause

Emphasizes the temporary cessation of activity rather than the disruption itself.

momentary lapse

Suggests a temporary deviation from the norm or expected course of events.

fleeting interruption

Underscores the transient nature of the interruption, highlighting its brief existence.

passing disruption

Similar to "fleeting interruption", but with a slightly stronger emphasis on the event's impermanence.

short break

Focuses on the temporary cessation of activity, suggesting a planned or expected pause.

tiny disturbance

Emphasizes the minimal impact of the interruption, portraying it as barely noticeable.

little hiccup

Uses a more informal and playful term to describe a minor and easily resolved interruption.

modest interference

Highlights the intrusive nature of the event, while also acknowledging its limited scale.

FAQs

What are some synonyms for "small interruption"?

Alternatives include "brief disruption", "minor disturbance", or "slight pause", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How can I use "small interruption" in a sentence?

You might say, "The meeting proceeded smoothly despite a "small interruption" caused by a fire alarm".

What is the difference between "small interruption" and "major disruption"?

"Small interruption" refers to a brief and insignificant pause, while "major disruption" indicates a significant and potentially long-lasting disturbance.

Is it always appropriate to describe an event as a "small interruption"?

No, it's crucial to accurately assess the impact of the event. If the interruption has significant consequences, a term like "major setback" or "serious impediment" may be more fitting.