so as not to interrupt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "so as not to interrupt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when explaining the intention to avoid causing a disruption or disturbance during a conversation or activity. Example: "She spoke softly so as not to interrupt the ongoing discussion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

He shakes with his left hand so as not to interrupt his program with the squeezeball.

The New Yorker

By comparison, a reformed Led Zeppelin would sound like a barbershop quartet rehearsing quietly in the village hall so as not to interrupt the whist drive.

Independent

One of the first photos I took was of a couple I didn't speak to; it was taken in passing so as not to interrupt them.

The New Yorker

Mr. Cuomo, who is the governor-elect, has sought to avoid shutting down Soundview so as not to interrupt medical care for the clinics' thousands of patients.

The New York Times

As a foreclosure counselor who has worked in financial education, I have observed that students may overborrow to finance their education so as not to interrupt their lifestyle.

The New York Times

We also hear about Christian's biodynamic composting, and how he cuts the grass in the vineyards just once a year so as not to interrupt the work of valuable microorganisms in the soil.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

I think there's a delay on the line so we'll have to try not to interrupt one another.

The Guardian - Film

In fact, due to ethical and practical considerations, efforts have been specially made so as not to delay or interrupt the normal screening processes, so that the only alternative for evaluating the effects of peer review has been to assess surrogate variables.

Plosone

"Oh, so there was no one at home to teach you not to interrupt!" Claire said.

Huffington Post

After all, the reason Goldsmith is able to make a living teaching top executives how not to interrupt and how to say thank you is that so many people never learn these skills at home, as children.

Forbes

Seeing as he talks about a thousand words a minute, I decided not to interrupt him too much.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "so as not to interrupt", ensure the sentence clearly indicates what action is being taken to avoid the interruption. For example, "She lowered her voice so as not to interrupt the ongoing meeting."

Common error

Avoid using "so as not to interrupt" when a simpler construction would suffice. Overusing this phrase can make your writing sound overly formal or awkward. Consider alternatives like "to avoid interrupting" for a more concise expression.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "so as not to interrupt" functions as an adverbial phrase of purpose, indicating the reason or intention behind an action. It specifies that something is done in order to avoid causing a disruption. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "so as not to interrupt" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express the purpose of avoiding a disruption. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts, with a slightly formal register. While alternatives like "to avoid interrupting" exist, "so as not to interrupt" provides a clear and explicit articulation of intent. When using this phrase, ensure that the sentence clearly indicates the action taken to prevent the interruption and avoid overusing it, so it does not become redundant. It's not as frequent as other phrases, is considered uncommon, and mainly used in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in order not to interrupt

More formal variation using "in order not to" instead of "so as not to".

to avoid interrupting

A more concise way of expressing the same intent.

to prevent interruption

Focuses directly on the prevention aspect.

in an effort not to interrupt

Emphasizes the deliberate attempt to prevent interruption.

so that one does not interrupt

Formal and somewhat verbose alternative.

with the aim of not interrupting

Highlights the purpose of avoiding interruption.

without interrupting

A shorter version that implies the intent of avoidance.

being careful not to interrupt

Highlights the care taken to avoid causing a disturbance.

making sure not to interrupt

Similar to "being careful", this stresses the caution involved.

so there is no interruption

Focuses on the result of the action: the absence of interruption.

FAQs

How can I use "so as not to interrupt" in a sentence?

Use "so as not to interrupt" to explain the reason for doing something in a way that avoids causing a disturbance. For instance, "He tiptoed "so as not to interrupt" the sleeping baby."

What are some alternatives to "so as not to interrupt"?

Alternatives include phrases like "in order not to interrupt", "to avoid interrupting", or "without interrupting". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it better to use "so as to not interrupt" or "so as not to interrupt"?

"So as not to interrupt" is generally preferred over "so as to not interrupt". The former is considered more grammatically sound and flows better in most sentences. Compare with the alternative "in order not to interrupt".

When is it appropriate to use "so as not to interrupt"?

It's appropriate when you want to explicitly state the purpose of an action is to prevent a disruption, particularly in formal writing or when the context requires clear and precise articulation of intent. Example: Use "to prevent interruption" or "in order to avoid interrupting".