Interrupting someone in English can feel risky.
You may know what you want to say, but you stop yourself because you don’t want to sound rude. This is especially difficult in meetings, calls and presentations, where the conversation moves quickly.
The good news is that you don’t need complicated language. A simple, clear phrase is usually enough.
In this lesson, you’ll learn how to interrupt politely in English at work. I’ll show you what to say when you want to add a point, ask a question, stop a misunderstanding, bring the meeting back on track, or continue after someone interrupts you.
What matters most is your reason for interrupting. If you interrupt without a clear reason, it can sound abrupt. If your reason is clear, it usually sounds helpful.
In the meetingHow to interrupt politely in a meeting
Let’s start with phrases you can use in a normal work meeting. These are natural, widely used, and safe in most situations.
“Could I just come in here?”
Use this when you want to join the discussion.
ExampleCould I just come in here? I think there’s one point we haven’t covered yet.
“Can I quickly add something?”
Use this when someone has made a point and you want to add one short idea. The word quickly shows that you won’t take over the conversation.
ExampleCan I quickly add something? The client also asked about the delivery date.
“Sorry to interrupt, but can I ask a quick question?”
Use this when you need to ask something before the meeting moves on.
ExampleSorry to interrupt, but can I ask a quick question? Are we talking about this quarter or next quarter?
“Can I stop you there for a second?”
Use this when you need to stop a mistake or misunderstanding. This is slightly stronger, so use it when there’s a clear reason.
ExampleCan I stop you there for a second? I think there may be a misunderstanding about the deadline.
“Before we move on, can I just check something?”
Use this when the group is about to change topic, but you need to clarify one point first. This is one of the most useful phrases in meetings.
ExampleBefore we move on, can I just check something? Who’s responsible for sending the final version?
Test your meeting English
8 real workplace situations. One quick quiz. Find out exactly where your English holds you back in meetings — and what to say instead.
Take the test →When it’s okay to interrupt
People often think interrupting is always rude. It isn’t. In a work meeting, it can be useful to interrupt when:
- someone has misunderstood something
- the group is moving on too quickly
- you need to ask a question before the topic changes
- an important detail is missing
- the discussion is going off topic
- a decision is being made with the wrong information
The key is to have a clear reason. Say why you’re interrupting, make your point, and hand the conversation back.
Watch the video lesson
Watch the video lesson first, or use the written guide below to find the phrases you need.
Listen to how these phrases sound in real conversations. Tone makes a big difference.
Interrupting to ask for clarification
Sometimes you understand most of the meeting, but one detail is unclear. Don’t wait too long — if the meeting moves on, it becomes harder to ask.
“Sorry, can I just clarify one thing?”
ExampleSorry, can I just clarify one thing? Are we using the old figures or the updated ones?
“Can I quickly check what you mean by that?”
ExampleCan I quickly check what you mean by that? Do you mean we should delay the launch or reduce the scope?
“Just to make sure I’ve understood…”
Especially useful if you want to avoid misunderstandings.
ExampleJust to make sure I’ve understood, are you saying we need to change the timeline?
Interrupting to add a different opinion
This is where many learners feel uncomfortable. You may disagree, but you don’t want to sound too direct.
“Can I offer a slightly different view?”
ExampleCan I offer a slightly different view? I think the timing may be more difficult than it looks.
“I see your point, but…”
ExampleI see your point, but I wonder if we also need to consider the cost.
“Can I add one concern here?”
ExampleCan I add one concern here? We still don’t have confirmation from the supplier.
“I agree with the general idea, but…”
ExampleI agree with the general idea, but I’m not sure the deadline is realistic.
Interrupting because there is a misunderstanding
If something is wrong, it’s better to correct it early.
“Sorry, I don’t think I explained that clearly.”
ExampleSorry, I don’t think I explained that clearly. What I meant was that we can start this month, but we can’t finish it this month.
“Sorry, I think there may be a misunderstanding.”
ExampleSorry, I think there may be a misunderstanding. The report is ready, but it hasn’t been approved yet.
“Can I just correct one thing?”
ExampleCan I just correct one thing? The meeting is on Thursday, not Tuesday.
Interrupting when the meeting is going off topic
Meetings often drift away from the main point. You can bring them back politely.
“Can I bring us back to the main point?”
ExampleCan I bring us back to the main point? We still need to decide who’s contacting the client.
“I think we may be getting slightly off track.”
ExampleI think we may be getting slightly off track. Could we come back to the deadline for a moment?
“Before we go too far into that…”
ExampleBefore we go too far into that, can we finish the point about the budget?
How to let someone interrupt you
Sometimes another person wants to speak while you’re talking. These short replies keep the meeting friendly.
“Sure, go ahead.”
“Yes, of course. What did you want to add?”
“Yes, go ahead. Then I’ll come back to my point.”
“Let me finish this sentence, then I’ll come to you.”
How to continue after someone interrupts you
After an interruption, it’s easy to lose your place. These phrases help you continue naturally.
“As I was saying…”
ExampleAs I was saying, the main issue is the delivery date.
“To go back to my point…”
ExampleTo go back to my point, we need confirmation before Friday.
“Where was I? Yes, the timeline.”
ExampleWhere was I? Yes, the timeline. We need at least two more weeks.
“Let me pick up where I left off.”
ExampleLet me pick up where I left off. I was explaining why the second option is safer.
“So, the point I wanted to make was this.”
ExampleSo, the point I wanted to make was this. We can do the work, but not by the end of the week.
How to finish your point clearly
After an interruption, some people speak for too long because they’re trying to recover. You don’t need to do that.
“That’s the main point from me.”
“That’s all I wanted to add.”
“I’ll leave it there for now.”
“I’m happy to answer questions on that.”
Phrases to be careful with in meetings
Some expressions are common in everyday English, but they can sound too strong or slightly negative in a work setting.
!“Excuse me for butting in”
This is widely used in real life, especially in informal conversations. However, butting in suggests that you’re interrupting in a slightly rude way. In a formal meeting, it can sound a bit heavy.
You might hear: “Excuse me for butting in, but I think we’re missing one key detail.”
- Sorry to interrupt, but can I ask something?
- Could I just come in here?
- Can I quickly add something?
!“Please allow me to continue”
This sounds very formal and can come across as irritated.
- Let me just finish this point.
- I’ll just finish this sentence, then I’ll come back to you.
!“I’d appreciate it if you didn’t interrupt me”
This is quite direct. It may be useful if someone interrupts repeatedly, but it’s strong for everyday meetings.
- I’ll just finish this point first.
- Let me finish this thought, then I’d be happy to hear your point.
!“Anyway, as I was saying before I was interrupted”
This can sound slightly annoyed.
- Anyway, as I was saying…
- To go back to my point…
How well do you speak English in meetings?
Try 8 real meeting situations and see your score. Find out which phrases you can start using at work right away.
Take the free test →Quick practice
Read each situation and say the phrase aloud before you look at the answer.
Your colleague is explaining the timeline, but you think they are using the wrong deadline.
Best phraseCan I stop you there for a second? I think there may be a misunderstanding about the deadline.
You agree with the idea, but you see one possible problem.
Best phraseCan I add one concern here? We still don’t have the final figures.
The meeting is moving to a new topic, but you need to ask one question first.
Best phraseBefore we move on, can I just check something?
Someone interrupts you, but you have not finished your point.
Best phraseLet me just finish this point, then I’ll come back to you.
You answered someone’s question and now want to continue your original point.
Best phraseTo go back to my point, we need confirmation before Friday.
Listen to the lesson
Listen to this lesson on the Speak Better English with Harry podcast — useful if you’d rather learn while you’re walking or travelling.
Listening and reading together makes the phrases easier to remember.
Final advice
Interrupting in English is not only about being polite. It’s about being clear and useful.
In a meeting, a good interruption usually does one of these things:
- asks for clarification
- corrects a misunderstanding
- adds useful information
- keeps the discussion on track
- helps the group make a better decision
Keep your language simple. Say why you’re interrupting. Then make your point.
How do you interrupt without sounding rude?
In a real meeting, you may need to stop someone, add a point, ask a question or bring the discussion back to something important.
Speak Up in Meetings gives you natural phrases for interrupting, joining the discussion, asking for clarification, disagreeing and checking what has been agreed.
Get Speak Up in Meetings →More Business English lessons
If you use English at work, these lessons will help you sound clearer and more professional in meetings, presentations, emails, and everyday business conversations.