To break in politely, start with Excuse me to get attention, or Sorry to interrupt to show you know you're cutting in.
Stepping into a conversation
Not ""The bus is leaving in five minutes!" (cutting straight in)" — say ""Sorry to interrupt, but the bus is leaving in five minutes."". Say the polite phrase first, then your point.
Try it: Lars: So the new trail map will show the lake, the picnic area, and... Yasmin: ___, but the projector just switched off. Which reply breaks in politely? (Sorry to interrupt / Stop talking / Never mind) Answer: Sorry to interrupt — Sorry to interrupt shows you know you're cutting in, so it sounds polite.
Word
Pronunciation
Example
Excuse me
/ɪkˈskjuːz mi/
Excuse me, Amina, I have one quick question.
Sorry to interrupt
/ˈsɔːri tu ˌɪntɚˈrʌpt/
Sorry to interrupt, but the bus is leaving in five minutes.
Adding your point
To add your own idea to a discussion, ask for a turn with Can I just say or If I could jump in.
Not ""Stop, the budget has changed." (grabbing the turn)" — say ""If I could jump in, the budget has changed."". If I could jump in asks for a turn instead of taking it.
Try it: Mei: Alright, let's vote on the plan now. Diego: ___ one thing before we vote? Which words start Diego's question? (Can I just say / If I could jump in / Would you mind) Answer: Can I just say — Can I just say + your point makes a polite question; the others don't fit "one thing".
Word
Pronunciation
Example
Can I just say
/kæn aɪ dʒʌst seɪ/
Can I just say that Mei's idea would save us time?
If I could jump in
/ɪf aɪ kʊd dʒʌmp ɪn/
If I could jump in, the budget has changed since last week.
When it can't wait
When your point is urgent, break in with Hang on, Sorry to jump in, or I don't mean to interrupt, but.
Not ""Hang up, I think we've got the wrong date."" — say ""Hang on, I think we've got the wrong date."". Hang on means wait a moment; "hang up" ends a phone call.
Try it: Wei: We can leave at nine and walk to the waterfall by... Ira: ___, that trail is closed today. Which reply asks Wei to wait a moment? (Hang on / Hang up / Go on) Answer: Hang on — Hang on asks someone to wait a moment before they go on.
Word
Pronunciation
Example
Hang on
/hæŋ ɑːn/
Hang on, I think we've got the wrong date.
Sorry to jump in
/ˈsɔːri tə dʒʌmp ɪn/
Sorry to jump in, but the room is booked at four.
I don't mean to interrupt
/aɪ doʊnt miːn tu ˌɪntɚˈrʌpt/
I don't mean to interrupt, but your taxi is here.
What are the common mistakes?
Incorrect
Correct
Why
"The bus is leaving in five minutes!" (cutting straight in)
"Sorry to interrupt, but the bus is leaving in five minutes."
Say the polite phrase first, then your point.
"Stop, the budget has changed." (grabbing the turn)
"If I could jump in, the budget has changed."
If I could jump in asks for a turn instead of taking it.
"Hang up, I think we've got the wrong date."
"Hang on, I think we've got the wrong date."
Hang on means wait a moment; "hang up" ends a phone call.