Brilliant People Who Can Interrupt Without Being Totally Rude Often Say 11 Phrases In Casual Conversation
Dean Drobot | Shutterstock Whether it's during a work meeting or a gossip sesh with friends, people sometimes interrupt or cut someone off unintentionally. They don't mean to be rude by not letting others speak. However, when time is of the essence and they're especially engrossed in what they have to say, even the most considerate person might struggle to stop themselves from cutting in.
While interrupting is generally considered rude, if you absolutely need to say what you need to say, try one of the phrases brilliant people use to interrupt without being rude; there are plenty of ways to politely interrupt someone mid-convo while staying as respectful as possible.
Peopl ewho know how to interrupt without being rude usually say these things casually:
1. ‘That’s a great point. May I add something to that?’
fizkes | Shutterstock
When someone keeps rambling, it’s only natural for people to want to cut in and add their two cents. Unfortunately, it might not always be easy, as people lose track of time and keep talking without pausing or letting the other person speak. A great way to interrupt someone without being rude is to say, “That’s a great point, but can I add something to that?” The first step in approaching this situation respectfully is to validate what the other person is saying.
According to a study published in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, people yearn to feel understood, as feeling misunderstood leads to higher stress and lower life satisfaction. Still, there needs to be a little honesty; otherwise, they’ll keep talking. That's why adding, “But can I add something to that?” matters. This not only gives people the opportunity to cut in and share their thoughts, but it also signals to the other person to slow down and let others speak.
2. ‘Before we move on, let me say something real quick’
fizkes | Shutterstock
Conversation flows change at some point, which often leads people to move on before everyone can share their thoughts. So, a phrase brilliant people use to interrupt someone without being rude is, “Before we move on, let me say something real quick.”
Most people don't intentionally cut others off mid-conversation; they might just unintentionally skip someone to get the conversation over with. That's why it’s important to remind others from time to time; otherwise, their unintentional cut-off can lead to misunderstandings. According to a 2019 study, misunderstandings can lead to confusion and disagreements. So, while interjecting mid-conversation is nerve-wracking, remember that being upfront and honest is the best way to handle most situations.
3. ‘Sorry to cut you off, but can we finish this conversation at a later date?’
fizkes | Shutterstock
It's normal to want a conversation to end after spending an hour or so discussing the same old thing over and over again. But when people are deeply absorbed in their thoughts, it can be nearly impossible to pull them out of that state without sounding rude. Luckily, a phrase brilliant people use to interrupt someone without being rude is, "Sorry to cut you off, but can we finish this conversation at a later date?"
The key to staying kind and considerate in any conversation is to start with the right tone. If someone says, "Can we finish this conversation at a later date," it might come off as rude, depending on the context. To soften the blow, being slightly apologetic and showing a bit of sympathy is sometimes the best way to ensure the other person doesn't leave the conversation feeling disrespected or, worse, with the wrong impression of you.
Like it or not, changing someone's impression of you is very difficult, especially if the first impression ends on a bad note. According to a study published in 2016, it took people weeks longer to change a bad first impression, showing that even a few bad actions are hard to overcome. So, to play it safe, being kind and considerate is the best approach.
4. ‘Hold on. May I clarify something?’
MAYA LAB | Shutterstock
Everyone's been in this situation before: they listen to someone go on and on about a subject, only to be left utterly confused. But before they can interrupt and ask a question, the speaker quickly moves on, leaving them baffled. Understandably, nobody wants to be the person who annoyingly raises their hand in a work meeting or classroom, but not being on the same page creates room for future mistakes.
In fact, asking questions is so important that it can completely change how people understand the material. For instance, the Center for Interdisciplinary Teaching and Learning noted that students who developed questions were increasingly likely to understand the material as they developed higher-level cognitive functions.
5. ‘Can I chime in?’
fizkes | Shutterstock
To be honest, not everyone has time to memorize a whole paragraph to interrupt someone. When matters are pressing and you need to jump in, a phrase brilliant people use to interrupt without being rude is "Can I chime in?" Sometimes, simplicity is truly the best way to go about things.
Over-analyzing what someone is saying can make it harder to get your point across, because you'll worry so much about messing up that you stumble over your words and create misunderstandings. That's why it's better to ask before entering the conversation. Research also shows that the willingness to ask sensitive questions can prevent people from forming mistaken assumptions. So, while someone might feel like they can just throw themselves into a conversation, it's best to ask before entering, if only to avoid the awkward misunderstandings that can come with it.
6. ‘I hate to interrupt you, but this is important to mention’
Anatoliy Karlyuk | Shutterstock
The next phrase brilliant people use to interrupt someone without being rude is, "I hate to interrupt you, but this is important to mention." People can get so caught up in the minor details of a conversation that they forget what they were originally supposed to convey. Now, most people might hesitate to cut someone off mid-conversation because they don't want to appear rude. However, if there's something that is worth mentioning, like an important deadline or a piece of information that will change the way people complete their assignments, then interrupting someone is always fair game.
That said, admitting to a mishap is another option. Most people will ignore the rudeness and say what they need to say. However, the other person can quickly become annoyed if you interrupt without acknowledging it. So, while someone can say, "I think it's important to mention this," it's much more respectful to say, "I hate to interrupt you," first. Not only does this sound more respectful, but it also shows the person has no ill intent.
7. ‘Can we pause for a moment?’
Prostock-studio | Shutterstock
Conversations can be a tricky thing to navigate. On one hand, someone doesn't want to interrupt or, worse, invalidate the other person's emotions. On the other hand, allowing emotions to run wild or for people to say whatever's on their mind with zero interruptions isn't always the wisest decision. Especially in a disagreement, refusing to pause or take a breather is the quickest way to go from zero to one hundred. According to a study published in Communications Psychology, taking a five-second break during an argument could help defuse an intense situation.
That said, there's always a respectful way to tell someone to pause, and a phrase brilliant people use to interrupt someone without being rude is, "Hold up, let's pause for a moment." Most people don't want to pause, and some might resist at first. Depending on how intense the conversation is, they might react negatively, no matter what you say. Yet repeating this phrase calmly and collectedly is the best way to ensure someone remains as respectful as possible.
8. ‘Let me finish this thought and then I’ll give you my undivided attention’
Cast Of Thousands | Shutterstock
It's awkward when someone yaps in your ear while you're in the middle of something. Although most people want to be kind and respectful, at some point they may need to be honest and tell someone to stop talking so they can finish their work. After all, distraction can be especially damaging. According to the Oregon State University Academic Success Center Learning Corner, mastering any skill requires deep concentration. As a result, interruptions and distractions make it increasingly hard to do so.
With this in mind, a phrase people use to interrupt someone without being rude is, "Let me finish this, then I'll give you my undivided attention." Sometimes, people need a reminder that someone's busy before they'll kindly stop talking. Now, does this mean someone should turn to the other person and tell them to stop talking? No. But respectfully reminding them that they will have their turn to talk in a moment is the nicest way to interrupt someone.
9. ‘I’m sorry to cut you off, but I need to leave’
Ground Picture | Shutterstock
It's no fun to listen to someone ramble while you have places to be. Staring at the clock in despair, it's tempting to tell someone to stop talking so you can hurry off to work or home. However, before those words come tumbling out of your mouth, pause for a moment and take a deep breath. There are other ways to handle things.
For starters, being honest and speaking up about your needs matters. Often, people forget to say what they truly need, and as a result, those needs go unmet. So, the next time someone needs to leave, don't be afraid to cut a friend or partner off and say, "Hey, I'm sorry to cut you off, but I need to leave." This is respectful, and it also helps prevent resentment and other negative emotions from festering.
10. ‘While we’re on the subject, let me share something really quick’
Josep Suria | Shutterstock
Don't let an opportunity pass because you are shy or reluctant to interrupt someone's train of thought. That being said, there's a delicate balance between interrupting and being rude. To keep people open, a phrase brilliant people use to interrupt without being rude is, "While we're on the subject, let me share something really quick." It's important to address things when the opportunity arises. And while in some cases it might be useful to lie (yes, your cooking is great, Aunt Suzy), when exchanging opinions, it's always better to be respectfully honest.
11. ‘May I interrupt briefly?’
Ground Picture | Shutterstock
Finally, a phrase brilliant people use to interrupt someone without being rude is saying, "May I interrupt briefly?" Again, being direct matters when you need to express yourself. People aren't mind-readers and may not always know or remember when someone wants to talk or needs to. So, when someone isn't sure whether to interrupt, the best thing to do is ask if they can. If the person says, "In a minute," then hold them to it. This means that if they keep talking or rambling, simply reminding them of their promise should do the trick.
Some people might feel hesitant to do this. After all, they don't want to be disliked or seen as rude. However, a 2022 study found that people who talked more were liked more than people who listened more. So, while staying silent might seem like the best bet, talking is actually the best route.
Marielisa Reyes is a writer with a bachelor's degree in psychology who covers self-help, relationships, career, family, and astrology topics.
