interject in a conversation

Meaning

To 'interject in a conversation' means to abruptly or politely interrupt a discussion to insert a brief comment, opinion, or question. In interpersonal relationships, it describes how people manage turn-taking during discussions, sometimes suggesting eagerness or, conversely, a lack of patience.

Examples

• She waited for a brief pause to interject in the conversation with her own suggestion.

  She waited for a brief pause to interject in the conversation with her own suggestion.

• It is often considered impolite to interject in a conversation without being invited to speak.

  It is often considered impolite to interject in a conversation without being invited to speak.

• He attempted to interject in the conversation, but his colleagues kept talking over him.

  He attempted to interject in the conversation, but his colleagues kept talking over him.

• I don't mean to interject in your conversation, but I couldn't help overhearing your travel plans.

  I don't mean to interject in your conversation, but I couldn't help overhearing your travel plans.

• During the family debate, uncle Mark would occasionally interject in the conversation to crack a joke.

  During the family debate, uncle Mark would occasionally interject in the conversation to crack a joke.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ He interjected into the conversation with a rude comment.

  ✓ He interjected in the conversation with a rude comment.

  While 'into' is sometimes heard, 'interject in' is the standard prepositional phrase when describing the act of interrupting a discussion.

• ✗ She tried to interject the conversation.

  ✓ She tried to interject in the conversation.

  'Interject' is an intransitive verb in this context, meaning it needs the preposition 'in' to connect to 'the conversation'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• It can be difficult to ___ when everyone is speaking at once.

  💡 Interrupt a discussion to add a comment.

  Show answer

  interject in a conversation

• He decided to ___ only when he had factual data to contribute.

  💡 Politely or abruptly interrupt a discussion.

  Show answer

  interject in a conversation