Do you ever find yourself in a conversation where you want to add something important but don’t know how to interrupt politely? For many English learners—especially shy adults—this is a real challenge. You may feel nervous about speaking up, afraid of being rude, or unsure which phrases sound natural.
The good news is that interrupting does not always have to be rude. In fact, in English, there are polite and professional ways to step into a conversation without upsetting the other person. In this post, I’ll share 20 polite phrases you can use to interrupt in English, along with some English speaking practice tips for shy adults who want to gain more confidence.
Interruptions happen everywhere:
At work meetings
In customer service conversations
During classroom discussions
Even in casual chats with friends
Knowing how to interrupt politely helps you:
Express your opinion confidently
Ask questions at the right time
Avoid being misunderstood
Build respect in professional and social situations
For shy adults, practicing these expressions can make you feel more comfortable joining conversations instead of staying silent.
Before we dive into the interrupting phrases, here are some practice tips designed especially for shy learners:
Practice in front of a mirror – Say interrupting phrases aloud to hear your own voice.
Record yourself – Listening back helps you notice your tone and confidence.
Role-play with a friend – Take turns pretending you’re in a meeting or casual chat.
Start small – Try one phrase at a time instead of memorizing all 20.
Use polite body language – A gentle smile and calm tone make your interruption softer.
Write scripts – Prepare 2–3 phrases before an important meeting.
Practice pausing – Don’t rush; wait for a natural pause before you interrupt.
These small steps will give you the courage to try the phrases below in real life.
Here are 20 expressions you can use, organized into different situations.
“Sorry, could I just ask a quick question here?”
“Excuse me, can I clarify something before we move on?”
“If I may add something…”
“Sorry to interrupt, but I’d like to share a thought.”
“Can I just bring us back to the main point?”
“Sorry, may I steer us back to what we were discussing earlier?”
“I’m sorry to cut in, but we’re running out of time.”
“Excuse me, may I interrupt briefly to keep us on schedule?”
“Pardon me, may I make a quick suggestion?”
“Sorry for interrupting, but I think this is important.”
“Wait, can I just jump in for a second?”
“Oh, sorry—can I add something quickly?”
“Sorry to interrupt, but could you repeat that last part?”
“Excuse me, I didn’t catch that—could you say it again?”
“I apologize for interrupting, but may I say something?”
“I don’t mean to be rude, but could I add something here?”
“Would it be okay if I interrupt for a moment?”
“Can I just stop you there for a quick question?”
“Hold on a sec, I just remembered something!”
“Wait, before you continue, can I share this?”
Remember, your tone of voice is just as important as the words you use. Here are three golden rules:
Use a soft tone – Avoid sounding sharp or loud.
Say sorry or excuse me – This softens your interruption.
Be brief – Keep your interruption short and to the point.
By combining polite phrases with the right tone, you’ll come across as confident and respectful.
Here’s a simple practice routine you can do at home:
Write down 5 interrupting phrases you like from the list.
Practice saying them in front of the mirror.
Record yourself once in the morning and once at night.
Compare both recordings to see if your tone sounds more natural.
Once you feel comfortable, try one phrase in your next conversation with a friend or colleague.
This small daily practice is one of the best English speaking practice tips for shy adults who want to speak up more often.
Interrupting too often – Choose the right moment.
Speaking too loudly – This feels aggressive.
Skipping polite words – Never just cut in without “sorry” or “excuse me.”
Over-apologizing – Say sorry once, then get to the point.
Avoiding these mistakes will help you interrupt with confidence while still sounding polite.
Interrupting doesn’t have to be rude—it can actually show that you are engaged and interested in the conversation. For shy learners, mastering these polite interrupting phrases can transform the way you participate in discussions, whether at work, in school, or with friends.
Start small, practice daily, and soon you’ll be interrupting politely in English without fear. Remember, confidence comes step by step, and every attempt makes you better.
If you’re a shy adult learning English, I encourage you to try just one of these phrases today. With practice, you’ll soon find your voice in any conversation.
✍️ Written by Janet from English with Janet – helping learners gain confidence with simple, practical English tips.
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