Interrupting Conversation | 15+ Useful Expressions for Interrupting Someone

Polite Expressions for Interrupting

When interrupting someone, it’s important to do it politely to avoid offending them. Here are some useful expressions you can use:

• “Excuse me for interrupting, but…”
• “I’m sorry to interrupt, but…”
• “May I add something to that?”
• “If I may interject…”
• “Could I just say something here?”
• “I don’t mean to cut you off, but…”
• “I hate to interrupt, but…”
• “Do you mind if I jump in here?”

Using these expressions shows respect for the person you’re interrupting and can make the conversation flow more smoothly. It’s also important to pay attention to the tone of your voice and body language when interrupting someone. Make sure you’re not coming across as aggressive or dismissive.

Useful Expressions for Interrupting Someone

Informal Expressions for Interrupting

In addition to the polite expressions for interrupting, there are also informal expressions that can be used in casual conversations. These expressions are more relaxed and can be used among friends or in less formal situations.

Here are some examples of informal expressions for interrupting:

• Hey, sorry to cut you off, but…
• Hold up, can I just say something real quick?
• Hang on a sec, I want to add something to that.
• Wait, wait, wait, I just thought of something.
• Yo, can I jump in here for a sec?

It’s important to note that these expressions should only be used in appropriate situations. Interrupting someone too frequently or in a rude manner can be disrespectful and damaging to relationships.

Interrupting in Business Settings

As professionals, we often find ourselves in situations where we need to interrupt someone in a business setting. It could be during a meeting, a presentation, or a conversation with a client. Interrupting someone can be tricky, as we don’t want to appear rude or disrespectful. In this section, we will discuss some professional phrases for interruption and how to interrupt in meetings.

Professional Phrases for Interruption

When interrupting someone in a business setting, it is essential to use professional phrases that convey respect and politeness. Here are some examples of phrases that you can use:

• Excuse me, may I interject for a moment?
• I’m sorry to interrupt, but I have a question.
• May I add something to that point?
• If I may, I would like to say something.

Using these phrases will help you interrupt someone politely and professionally.

Interrupting in Meetings

Meetings are one of the most common business settings where interruption is necessary. However, interrupting in a meeting can be challenging, as you don’t want to disrupt the flow of the conversation or appear rude. Here are some tips on how to interrupt in meetings:

• Wait for a pause: Interrupting someone while they are speaking can be rude. Wait for a pause in the conversation before you interject.
• Use a signal: If you have something to say, but others are still talking, use a signal to indicate that you have a point to make. You can raise your hand or make eye contact with the person leading the meeting.
• Keep it brief: When you interrupt someone in a meeting, make sure that your point is brief and to the point. Don’t go off on a tangent or start a new topic.
• Be respectful: Always be respectful when interrupting someone in a meeting. Use professional phrases and avoid interrupting someone who is in the middle of making an important point.

Interrupting in Social Settings

Interrupting someone in a social setting can be tricky. You want to be polite and respectful while also making sure your voice is heard. Here are some tips for interrupting in different social situations.

Interrupting in Group Conversations

When in a group conversation, it can be difficult to get a word in edgewise. Here are some ways to interrupt politely:

• Wait for a pause in the conversation before speaking up.
• Use nonverbal cues, such as raising your hand or making eye contact with the speaker, to indicate that you want to speak.
• Say something like “Excuse me for interrupting, but I have something to add to this discussion.”

Interrupting in One-on-One Conversations

Interrupting someone in a one-on-one conversation can be even more awkward than interrupting in a group. Here are some ways to do it politely:

• Wait for a natural pause in the conversation before speaking up.
• Say something like “I’m sorry to interrupt, but I have a question/comment about what you just said.”
• Use nonverbal cues, such as raising your hand or making eye contact with the speaker, to indicate that you want to speak.

Using Body Language to Interrupt

Interrupting someone verbally can be effective, but sometimes body language can be just as powerful. Here are some ways to use body language to interrupt someone politely:

• Eye contact: Making eye contact with the person speaking and then looking away can signal that you have something to say. This can be particularly effective if you raise your eyebrows or nod your head slightly to indicate that you want to speak.
• Hand gestures: Using hand gestures can be a subtle way to signal that you want to speak. For example, raising your hand slightly or holding up one finger can indicate that you have something to say.
• Leaning forward: Leaning forward slightly can signal that you are engaged in the conversation and have something to contribute. This can be particularly effective if you combine it with eye contact and a slight nod of the head.
• Clearing your throat: Clearing your throat can be a subtle way to get someone’s attention without interrupting them verbally. However, it’s important to use this sparingly and only when necessary.

It’s important to remember that body language can be misinterpreted, so it’s always best to combine it with verbal cues when interrupting someone. For example, you can say “Excuse me” or “I’m sorry to interrupt, but…” before using body language to signal that you have something to say.