Cool MateInterject vs Interrupt
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Interject
Interrupt
Top 2,000 (common)B2verb
| Interject | Interrupt | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˌɪntəˈrʌpt/","/ˌɪntəˈrʌpts/","/ˌɪntəˈrʌptɪd/","/ˌɪntəˈrʌptɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˌɪntəˈrʌpt/","/ˌɪntəˈrʌpts/","/ˌɪntəˈrʌptɪd/","/ˌɪntəˈrʌptɪŋ/"]/ | |
| Meaning | to stop someone while they are speaking or doing something | |
| Example | - | Please do not interrupt me while I am speaking. |
| Register | - | Neutral |
| How common | - | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | B2 |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | - | impatiently, rudely, angrily, be sorry to, (not) dare (to), with, get interrupted |
| 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'. |
| 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. |
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Frequently asked questions: Interject vs Interrupt
What's the difference between Interject and Interrupt?
Interject: Interrupt: to stop someone while they are speaking or doing something
Can I use Interject and Interrupt interchangeably?
Not always. Interject and Interrupt 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.