Interrupting Someone Briefly
Someone unintentionally interrupts another person mid-sentence or in the middle of a conversation and quickly apologizes for the interruption.
Dialogue
Listen and follow along with the conversation
Vocabulary
Essential words and phrases from the dialogue
interrupt
To interrupt means to stop someone from speaking or doing something, often by speaking yourself. Use it when you accidentally break into a conversation.
excuse me
'Excuse me' is a polite phrase to get someone's attention or apologize for a small interruption. It's very common in everyday English.
my bad
'My bad' is an informal way to apologize for a small mistake, like misunderstanding something. It's casual and used among friends.
addressing
Addressing someone means speaking directly to them. Use it when you think a comment is meant for you.
cutting off
Cutting someone off means interrupting them suddenly, like stopping their sentence. It's a phrasal verb for brief apologies in conversations.
no worries
'No worries' means 'it's okay' or 'don't worry about it.' It's a relaxed way to accept an apology.
Key Sentences
Important phrases to remember and practice
Excuse me, sorry to interrupt.
This sentence is a polite way to apologize for breaking into someone's talk. It's useful for brief interruptions; 'excuse me' gets attention, and 'sorry to interrupt' shows regret. Use it in casual or formal settings.
My bad. I thought you were addressing me.
'My bad' admits a small error informally. The full sentence explains the mistake. It's practical for quick apologies when you misunderstand; no complex grammar, just simple past tense.
No worries. Thanks anyway. Sorry again for cutting you off.
This combines acceptance ('no worries') with gratitude and another apology. Useful for polite conversations; 'anyway' softens the response. Practice for smooth, natural English flow.
No problem at all!
A friendly way to say an apology is accepted. It's emphatic with 'at all' for extra reassurance. Use it to end interactions positively; simple structure, no special grammar.
I was just talking to myself actually.
This clarifies a misunderstanding casually. 'Actually' adds emphasis or correction. Helpful for explaining situations; present continuous tense shows ongoing action.