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Wednesday 27 November 2013

Ways of interrupting (politely)

When in a conversation, you may need to interrupt the person who's speaking. You can do it either tactfully or rudely, depending on the context and how much you agree with the person who's speaking. Have a look at this document to have a complete list of expressions and click here to do some exercises. You can also listen to some examples.

2 comments:

Sara Carrero said...

HOW TO INTERRUPT & HOW TO RESPOND

1. A different way to say 'sorry to interrupt, can I ask’ is:
“Sorry to butt in, but may I just ask”

2. When another person asks the person that has interrupted to stop and let the speaker continue, is:
“I think you should let him finish”

3. A very impolite way to interrupt somebody is:
“Just a minute”

4. A direct way to say 'can I continue what I was saying' when you are interrupted by someone, is:
“May I just finish”

5. A way to tell somebody that has interrupted you that what they have said is possibly valid is:
“You may have a point there”

6. A very polite way to interrupt somebody, is:
“Excuse me for interrupting, but”

7. A way to say 'going back to where I stopped before the interruption' is:
“As I was just saying”

8. A polite way to deal with an interruption by saying you'll answer their question later, is:
“Let me come back to that later”

9. A polite way to say 'can I continue what I was saying' when you are interrupted by someone, is:
“Do you mind if I finish?”

10. A phrase of interruption that a colleague uses when they want to add something to what you have said, is:
“If I can just come in here”

Erasmo Navarrete said...

Very good! Thank you, Sara