to be interrupted

USAGE SUMMARY

"to be interrupted" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to suggest that someone has been interrupted mid-sentence or mid-action. For example: "Sam was about to speak when he was interrupted by a loud crash outside the window."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I was happy to be interrupted.

The New Yorker

I'm the one who doesn't want to be interrupted.

The New York Times

It was a beautiful, peaceful scene, soon to be interrupted.

The New York Times

Who wants to be interrupted when they're watching He-Man?

The Guardian - Film

One driver might prefer to be interrupted when on a straight, flat road, for example.

The Economist

You're less likely to be interrupted before breakfast than you are later in the day.

The New York Times

Businesses and individuals, fearful that their livelihoods were about to be interrupted, delayed their bill payments.

The New Yorker

Your young life is too exciting to be interrupted by an unintended pregnancy or horrifying STD.

The New York Times

Whenever someone tries to express their innermost feelings, they're likely to be interrupted by zombies.

Independent

You don't know how long your business is going to be interrupted until the leak stops".

The New York Times

At one event, the president began, "You've got Mr. Romney," only to be interrupted by boos.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to be interrupted" to clearly indicate a disruption in an ongoing action or state. Ensure the context makes it clear who or what is being interrupted and by whom or what.

Common error

Avoid using "to be interrupted" when an active construction would be clearer and more direct. For example, instead of "The meeting was to be interrupted by the fire alarm", consider "The fire alarm interrupted the meeting."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be interrupted" functions primarily as part of an infinitive phrase, often used within a passive construction to describe a state of being disrupted. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to be interrupted" is a grammatically sound and frequently used construction in English, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Functioning primarily as part of an infinitive phrase within passive voice sentences, it serves to indicate the potential for disruption or interference. As a review of the many examples, the phrase occurs most commonly in News & Media and Scientific contexts with a neutral register. While "to be interrupted" is suitable for a range of writing, it's important to consider clarity and avoid passive constructions when a more direct, active voice would be more effective. Remember, context dictates whether the disruption is positive, negative, or merely descriptive.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be stopped

This is a direct synonym, indicating that something is prevented from continuing.

to be disturbed

This alternative implies a disruption of peace or tranquility, similar to interruption but with a focus on emotional or mental state.

to be interfered with

This alternative emphasizes external influence causing disruption, highlighting the meddling aspect.

to be halted

This alternative suggests a complete stop to an action or process, emphasizing the cessation rather than the interference.

to be intruded upon

This emphasizes the unwelcome nature of the interruption, focusing on the violation of privacy or personal space.

to be broken up

This suggests a disruption of something unified or continuous, like a conversation or a meeting.

to be suspended

This suggests a temporary halt, with the expectation of resuming later.

to be disjointed

This implies a lack of smooth connection, suggesting that something has become disconnected or fragmented.

to be checked

This alternative implies being restrained or controlled, preventing further progress.

to be impeded

This suggests that progress is made difficult or delayed, but not necessarily stopped entirely.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "to be interrupted" in a more formal way?

In formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "to be disrupted", "to be suspended", or "to be terminated", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

What's the difference between "to be interrupted" and "to be disturbed"?

"To be interrupted" generally refers to a break in an activity or process, while "to be disturbed" often implies a disruption of peace, quiet, or one's emotional state. The former is more about action, the latter about state of mind.

Is it always negative "to be interrupted"?

Not always. While often implying an unwanted intrusion, "to be interrupted" can also describe necessary or even welcome breaks. The connotation depends heavily on context.

How to use "to be interrupted" in a sentence?

You can use "to be interrupted" to indicate that something is broken into or stopped before the end. Example: "The presentation was about "to be interrupted" by a fire alarm."