What is interrupt? Pronunciation and usage in English

interrupt means . Learn how to pronounce and use interrupt through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of interrupt

interruptverb

/ˌɪntəˈrʌpt/
Definition & pronunciation of interrupt

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "interrupt" in English. It can be tricky! Here's a breakdown:

1. Syllables:

The word is divided into three syllables:

  • in - (like the word "in")
  • ter - (like the word "term")
  • rupt - (this is the tricky one!)

2. Phonetic Breakdown (using sounds):

  • in: /ɪn/ (a short, quick "i" sound, like in "bit")
  • ter: /tər/ (rhymes with "her") - the "r" is lightly rolled (if you can), but don't overdo it!
  • rupt: /rʌpt/ (This is the key!)
    • r: A fairly strong "r" sound – a slight tongue roll is helpful, but not essential.
    • u: “er” – a sound like the "u" in "burn" or “fur”.
    • pt: “pt” – a quick, almost blended “p” and “t” sound.

3. Putting it all together:

It sounds roughly like: in-ter-rupt (with a slight emphasis on the "rupt" syllable).

4. Tips and Common Mistakes:

  • Don't stress the 't' in 'ter': It's a very light "t" sound. Think of it as almost disappearing.
  • The 'rupt' is where most people stumble. Really focus on getting the “er-upt” sound right.
  • Listen to examples: The best way to learn is to hear it. Here are some resources:
    • Google Search: Search for “how to pronounce interrupt” and you’ll find audio clips.
    • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/interrupt/ – This website lets you hear how native speakers pronounce words in different accents.

To help me give you even more specific feedback, would you like to:

  • Try saying the word yourself and I can listen to how you're pronouncing it? (You’ll need to speak into your microphone.)

Usage and examples with the word interrupt in English

Let's break down how to use the word "interrupt" in English. It has several related meanings, so it's important to understand the context.

1. As a Verb (Most Common Usage)

  • Definition: To stop someone from speaking or doing something. It means to break into a conversation or activity.
  • Examples:
    • "Please don't interrupt me when I'm talking!" (Don't stop me while I'm speaking.)
    • "She kept interrupting the lecture with questions." (She frequently broke into the lecture with questions.)
    • "I accidentally interrupted his phone call." (I stopped his phone call unexpectedly.)
    • "He interrupted her story with a loud noise." (He broke into her story with a noisy interruption.)

2. As a Noun

  • Definition: An interruption; a disturbance.
  • Examples:
    • "He made several interruptions during the meeting." (He caused multiple disturbances during the meeting.)
    • "I missed part of the movie because of constant interruptions." (The movie was disrupted by frequent interruptions.)
    • "She apologized for the interruption." (Referring to the event of stopping someone.)

3. More Formal/Specific Uses

  • In a legal or academic context: "Interruption" can refer to a break in a formal proceeding, like a court hearing or a presentation.
    • “The judge allowed a brief interruption for a witness to consult with their lawyer.”

Key Phrases & Related Words

  • Interrupt someone: This is the most common way to use it as a verb.
  • To cut someone off: This is a more forceful way of saying you stopped someone from speaking. It implies rudeness. ("He cut me off before I could finish my sentence.")
  • Be interrupted: To have someone else interrupt you.
  • Interruption: The act of interrupting.
  • Non-interruption: The absence of interruptions (e.g., “We need a period of non-interruption to focus.”)

Tips for Using "Interrupt" Correctly

  • Consider the tone: “Interrupt” can sometimes sound negative, suggesting rudeness. Be mindful of how you’re using it. Sometimes "break in" or "speak over" is a more neutral way to describe the action.
  • Choose the right form: Make sure you use "interrupt" as a verb or a noun depending on the sentence’s structure.

Resources for More Examples & Practice:

Would you like me to:

  • Give you more examples tailored to a specific situation (e.g., a classroom, a meeting)?
  • Help you practice using the word in a sentence?

Synonyms for the word interrupt

Practice with vocabulary interrupt

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. During the crucial negotiations, a sudden phone call threatened to ______ the delicate flow of discussion.
  2. Please avoid the common workplace etiquette mistake of constantly trying to ______ your colleagues when they are explaining something.
  3. The unexpected network outage continued to ______ our online operations for several hours.
  4. Given the new data, the management decided to ______ the product launch until the following quarter.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (there may be multiple correct answers per question)

  1. Which of the following actions describes stopping a speaker mid-sentence without their permission? a) continue b) conclude c) interrupt d) elaborate

  2. If an important client suddenly walks out in the middle of a presentation, what might happen to the presentation? a) It could proceed smoothly. b) It might be disrupted. c) It might be interrupted. d) It would definitely be postponed.

  3. What might an unexpected technical glitch during a live online seminar cause? a) a delay b) an interruption c) a continuation d) an enhancement

  4. The unforeseen budget cuts led to a significant ______ in the project's timeline, pushing back key milestones. a) acceleration b) progression c) setback d) enhancement

  5. Loud background noise in an open-plan office can seriously ______ employees' concentration and productivity. a) improve b) enhance c) disturb d) encourage

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The chairperson had to temporarily stop the meeting because of a fire alarm. (Rewrite using a form of "interrupt")
  2. There was a brief break in the satellite signal during the live broadcast. (Rewrite using a form of "interrupt")
  3. He stopped his team member from prematurely announcing the unconfirmed results. (Rewrite without using "interrupt" or its forms, use a suitable replacement word)

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. interrupt
  2. interrupt
  3. disrupt
  4. postpone

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. c) interrupt
  2. b) disrupted, c) interrupted
  3. a) a delay, b) an interruption
  4. c) setback
  5. c) disturb

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The fire alarm interrupted the meeting, causing the chairperson to temporarily stop it.
  2. There was a brief interruption in the satellite signal during the live broadcast.
  3. He prevented his team member from prematurely announcing the unconfirmed results.

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