Sign In Get Started
Prepositions after verbs

Interrupt by, with, in, for, or during?

Interrupt usually takes a direct object. Prepositions such as with, during, or for often add extra details rather than forming fixed patterns.

Quick answer

How do you use interrupt?

Use interrupt + person or activity directly. With can introduce the thing used to interrupt. During introduces time, and for may explain purpose.

She interrupted the meeting twice.
He interrupted me with a question.
The call interrupted the show during dinner.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
interrupt + person/activity

Stopping speech or activity

Interrupt usually takes a direct object.

Please do not interrupt the speaker.
2
interrupt + object + with + comment/action

Showing how the interruption happened

With introduces the thing that caused the interruption.

She interrupted him with a joke.
3
interrupt + object + during + event

Showing when interruption happened

During introduces a time period or event.

The alarm interrupted the lecture during the exam.
4
interrupt + object + for + reason

Giving a purpose or reason

For may explain why the interruption occurred.

I hate to interrupt you for a minor issue.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
interrupt by
The broadcast was interrupted by static.
by introduces the cause in passive voice
interrupt with
She interrupted him with another question.
with introduces the interrupting action
interrupt in
Interrupt in is uncommon in modern English.
usually replace with interrupt or break in
interrupt for
Sorry to interrupt you for a moment.
for introduces reason or duration
interrupt during
Phones should stay silent during meetings.
during introduces time

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using interrupt in as a standard pattern

Use interrupt directly or use break in for joining a conversation.

✕ He interrupted in the discussion. ✓ He interrupted the discussion.

Forgetting the direct object

Interrupt usually needs the thing or person affected.

✕ She interrupted with a loud laugh. ✓ She interrupted the conversation with a loud laugh.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. Please do not interrupt ___ presenter.
2. He interrupted her ___ a sarcastic comment.
3. The broadcast was interrupted ___ heavy rain.

Check your sentence in context

Paste the complete sentence below. Linguix checks the preposition together with grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style.

Free to try · No signup required

Frequently asked questions

Can interrupt be intransitive?

Usually it is transitive, though expressions like Sorry to interrupt are common.

What is the difference between interrupt and break in?

Break in specifically means joining a conversation suddenly, while interrupt is broader.

Is interrupting always rude?

Not always. It can also happen because of emergencies or practical needs.

identify-with-by-in-as, for "ignore by" or "ignore in"? illuminate by, with, at, for or in? "illustrate by" or "illustrate in"? "imagine for", "imagine by" or "imagine in"? imbue with, in, by or onto? immigrate to, from, in, with or into? impair by, for, in, because or throughout? "impart to", "impart in" or "impart by"? "impeach by" or "impeach for"? "impinge on" or "impinge upon"? "implement in" or "implement by"?

Write with confidence in Linguix

Create a free account to check complete texts, apply suggestions, and save your documents.

Create a free account