Cool MateInterrupt vs They talk when they should listen
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Interrupt
Top 2,000 (common)B2verb
They talk when they should listen
Top 3,000 (common)
Most common: Interrupt
| Interrupt | They talk when they should listen | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˌɪntəˈrʌpt/","/ˌɪntəˈrʌpts/","/ˌɪntəˈrʌptɪd/","/ˌɪntəˈrʌptɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˌɪntəˈrʌpt/","/ˌɪntəˈrʌpts/","/ˌɪntəˈrʌptɪd/","/ˌɪntəˈrʌptɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ðeɪ tɔːk wɛn ðeɪ ʃʊd ˈlɪsən//🇺🇸 //ðeɪ tɔk wɛn ðeɪ ʃʊd ˈlɪsən// |
| Meaning | to stop someone while they are speaking or doing something | Talking instead of listening in a conversation. |
| Example | Please do not interrupt me while I am speaking. | In meetings, they talk when they should listen to feedback. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | impatiently, rudely, angrily, be sorry to, (not) dare (to), with, get interrupted | talk instead of listen, should listen, ignore advice, poor listening skills, many people talk |
| Antonyms | listen, allow, support | - |
| Common mistakes | Using 'interrupt' incorrectly when meaning to 'wait' or 'pause'., Confusing 'interrupt' with 'interject', which implies a more formal or thoughtful interruption., Saying 'interrupting to someone' instead of 'interrupting someone'. | Mixing up 'talk' with 'speak'—'talk' is more informal., Using the phrase incorrectly in the past tense—remember it's a present observation., Overgeneralizing by saying 'they always talk' without the listening context. |
| Usage notes | Use 'interrupt' when talking about breaking into someone's conversation or action. It's appropriate in both formal and informal contexts, but be cautious in formal settings as it may be seen as rude if done excessively. | This phrase is often used in discussions about communication. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts, especially in addressing poor listening skills. |
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Frequently asked questions: Interrupt vs They talk when they should listen
What's the difference between Interrupt and They talk when they should listen?
Interrupt: to stop someone while they are speaking or doing something They talk when they should listen: Talking instead of listening in a conversation.
Which is more common: Interrupt and They talk when they should listen?
Interrupt is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Interrupt: Please do not interrupt me while I am speaking. They talk when they should listen: In meetings, they talk when they should listen to feedback.
Can I use Interrupt and They talk when they should listen interchangeably?
Not always. Interrupt and They talk when they should listen are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.