waiting to interrupt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "waiting to interrupt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone is poised or prepared to interject in a conversation or situation. Example: "She was waiting to interrupt the meeting with her important findings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

You're waiting to interrupt.

The New Yorker

But listening, really listening, is hard when potential distractions are leaping into your ears every fifty-thousandth of a second — and pathways in your brain are just waiting to interrupt your focus to warn you of any potential dangers.

The New York Times

They listen -- not waiting to interrupt you with a brilliant summation or with, "Oh that reminds me of a time when... .., no.

Huffington Post

So many times, instead of truly listening we are just waiting to interrupt with our own thoughts and ideas, which can then turn into a heated argument.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

As hypothesized, compared to participants working on larger devices (e.g., an iMac), participants who worked on smaller devices (e.g., an iPad) behaved less assertively – waiting longer to interrupt an experimenter who had made them wait, or not interrupting at all.

Harvard University

The researchers found that the participants working on smaller devices like the iPod behaved less assertively -- waiting longer to interrupt an experimenter who had made them wait, or not interrupting at all.

Huffington Post

Almarrani majored in journalism at Sanaa University and is waiting to receive his B.A. Studies were interrupted for two years due to administrative problems.

Huffington Post

See Fig. 7. Fig. 7 We divide the parts assigned to a technician into three categories: (1) The part that he is currently working on, (2) Parts waiting to be worked on, (3) Interrupted parts.

Mathematics-in-Industry Case Studies

Andrzej Wajda, a Jew who makes anti-Polish films". I am waiting for someone to interrupt and say, "But Janek, aren't you going a bit too far?" This doesn't happen.

The Guardian

The play's comic high spot is the famous scene in which Orgon's wife hides him under a table and waits — and waits and waits and waits — for him to interrupt Tartuffe's increasingly insistent seduction.

The New York Times

Mariachi and banda music is interrupted by cheerful announcements in Spanish and sometimes English ("Hot cornbread! I'll be waiting to see you in the bakery!").

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "waiting to interrupt" to describe a deliberate pause before interjecting, often implying anticipation or strategic timing. For example: "The politician was waiting to interrupt his opponent's speech with a prepared rebuttal."

Common error

Avoid using "waiting to interrupt" when you mean someone is simply listening actively and attentively. "Waiting to interrupt" implies a degree of impatience or eagerness to interject, not a neutral state of listening.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "waiting to interrupt" functions as a verbal phrase, specifically a gerund phrase, acting as a noun. It describes the act of pausing with the intention of interjecting, as Ludwig's examples demonstrate.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "waiting to interrupt" describes the act of pausing with the intention of interjecting, often implying a degree of eagerness or impatience. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. Although categorized as rare in terms of frequency, it appears across varied source types. While generally neutral in register, it often carries a slightly negative connotation due to the implied eagerness to interject rather than actively listen.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

poised to interrupt

Focuses on readiness and anticipation of interrupting, emphasizing a state of preparedness.

about to interject

Highlights the imminence of the interruption, suggesting that it is on the verge of happening.

on the verge of interrupting

Similar to 'about to interject', this emphasizes the closeness to the act of interrupting.

ready to cut in

Implies a more assertive or even abrupt interruption, suggesting a desire to quickly join the conversation.

preparing to intervene

Broader than just conversation, this suggests getting ready to act in a situation, not just speak.

anticipating an opportunity to interrupt

Emphasizes the planning and expectation of finding a moment to interject.

awaiting their turn to interrupt

Suggests a structured environment where interruption is expected but should be timed appropriately.

holding back from interrupting

Highlights the restraint involved, contrasting with the active preparation of 'waiting'.

on standby to chime in

Indicates a state of readiness to add one's opinion or comment, often in a casual setting.

thinking of interrupting

Implies consideration but not necessarily readiness or action, a weaker form of anticipation.

FAQs

How can I use "waiting to interrupt" in a sentence?

Use "waiting to interrupt" to describe someone who is pausing and preparing to interject in a conversation or situation. For example: "She was "waiting to interrupt" the meeting with her findings."

What are some alternatives to "waiting to interrupt"?

You can use alternatives such as "poised to interrupt", "about to interject", or "ready to cut in", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does it mean when someone is "waiting to interrupt"?

It suggests that the person is not fully engaged in listening but is instead anticipating an opportunity to interject with their own thoughts or agenda. This can imply impatience or a lack of respect for the current speaker.

Is there a negative connotation to "waiting to interrupt"?

Yes, it often carries a negative connotation because it suggests that the person is not genuinely listening and is more interested in expressing their own views. It can imply rudeness or a lack of consideration for others.