What is interruption? Pronunciation and usage in English

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

Definition & pronunciation of interruption

interruptionnoun

/ˌɪntəˈrʌpʃn/
Definition & pronunciation of interruption

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "interruption" in English. It's a tricky one! Here's a breakdown with audio references to help you:

1. Syllable by Syllable:

  • Inter-: Pronounced like "in-ter" – short “i” sound, then “ter” as in "term."
  • -rup-: Pronounced like “root” - rhyming with “boot.”
  • -tion: Pronounced like “shun” – like the word “sun.”

2. Putting it Together:

So, it's roughly: in-ter-root-shun

3. The Key Sounds & Tips:

  • The "r" in "rup": This is often where people stumble. Make sure you roll your "r" slightly. It doesn't have to be a super dramatic roll, just a little "buzz" in your mouth.
  • The "t" in "interruption": This is a voiceless "t" – you don’t vocalize the sound. It’s like a quick pop of air. Think of it like the "t" in "top."
  • The "u" in "rup": Pronounce it like “root,” not “roup.”

4. Listen to Examples:

To summarize, try to say it like this:

in-ter-ROOT-shun (with a slight rolled "r" in "root" and a voiceless "t")

Practice makes perfect! Record yourself saying it and compare it to the audio examples.

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Usage and examples with the word interruption in English

Let's break down how to use the word "interruption" in English. It's a pretty common word with several nuances.

1. Basic Definition:

At its core, an interruption is something that stops an activity or conversation. It’s a break in the flow of things.

2. Common Uses & Examples:

  • Stopping a Conversation:

    • "I was explaining my project when I had a terrible interruption from a phone call."
    • "Please don't have an interruption when I'm speaking."
    • "She had an interruption in her thoughts, and couldn’t remember what she was saying."

  • Stopping an Activity:

    • "The power outage caused a major interruption to the meeting."
    • "There was an interruption to the train service due to track repairs."
    • "The unexpected rain brought an interruption to our picnic."

  • In a More Formal Context (e.g., Business/Meetings):

    • "The CEO announced an interruption to the presentation to address a customer concern."
    • “We experienced a brief technical interruption during the video conference."

  • Referring to Someone's Train of Thought:

    • “He keeps getting interruptions; he can’t even finish a sentence.” (meaning he's being constantly talked over)
    • “She had an interruption in her flow of ideas.”

3. Related Words & Phrases:

  • Interrupt: This is the verb form – to stop something from continuing. "He interrupted me."
  • Interrupted: This is the past participle – used with "by." "I was interrupted by a loud noise."
  • Uninterrupted: Means not being stopped. "We had an uninterrupted hour of peace and quiet."
  • To interrupt someone: To stop them from speaking. (Often considered impolite.)
  • Unexpected interruption: Describes an interruption that wasn't anticipated.
  • Brief interruption: An interruption that lasted for a short time.

4. Levels of Formality:

“Interruption” is generally a fairly neutral word. It can be used in both casual and formal settings. However, interrupting someone directly is often considered rude.

5. Synonyms:

  • Break
  • Disturbance
  • Pause
  • Halt
  • Disruption
  • Derailment

Let's test your understanding! Try to use "interruption" in a sentence.

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Synonyms for the word interruption

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