Question
Updated on
8 Dec 2022
- Simplified Chinese (China)
-
English (US)
Question about English (US)
What is the difference between disturb and interrupt ?Feel free to just provide example sentences.
What is the difference between disturb and interrupt ?Feel free to just provide example sentences.
thank you in advance!
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8 Dec 2022
Featured answer
- English (US)
disturb can be imagined as annoying/ unpleasant- something that you don't like (doesn't have to necessarily make you angry).
-disturbing my peace
-disturbing me while im playing a game/ washing dishes/ watching tv
-the movie was disturbing
the method of disturbing can be from sound, physical touch like tapping, something visual like blood
you can imagine interrupting like when an action or speech is happened, then broken either briefly or permanently.
-stop interrupting me when I'm speaking
-my download got interrupted (by wi-fi or whatever)
Read more comments
- English (US)
disturb can be imagined as annoying/ unpleasant- something that you don't like (doesn't have to necessarily make you angry).
-disturbing my peace
-disturbing me while im playing a game/ washing dishes/ watching tv
-the movie was disturbing
the method of disturbing can be from sound, physical touch like tapping, something visual like blood
you can imagine interrupting like when an action or speech is happened, then broken either briefly or permanently.
-stop interrupting me when I'm speaking
-my download got interrupted (by wi-fi or whatever)
- Simplified Chinese (China)
- English (US)
“Disturb” and “interrupt” are often used interchangeably, but there are some subtle differences…
Disturb (definition #1):
To intrude, or to disrupt someone during a private, impolite, or unusual time (such as during sleep, study, work, or a meal).
“Good salesmen never disturb customers during dinner time.”
“Please don’t disturb me while I am studying.”
“Dr. Smith is with a patient and cannot be disturbed.”
Disturb (definition #2):
To behave in a manner which makes others feel uncomfortable. Disturbing behavior is defined as strange, threatening, suspicious, or alarming.
“My neighbor stares at me strangely. I find it really (emotionally) disturbing.”
“The killer left the victim disturbing voicemail messages.”
Disturb (definition #3):
To be mentally disturbed; to have a mental illness, or be crazy.
“The killer is obviously disturbed (crazy).”
Disturb (definition #4):
To disorganize items; to make a mess. To put things out of place.
“I know my sister was in my closet again. All my clothes were disturbed.”
“An animal was in my garden and disturbed my flowers.”
Disturb (definition #5):
To “disturb the peace” is a legal term in the USA, typically for minor disruptive behavior due to drinking too much alcohol.
“He drank 6 shots of whiskey and began to yell loudly, spill drinks, and knock over tables. The police arrested him for disturbing the peace.”
Interrupt (definition #1):
To disrupt a conversation, meeting, or task.
“Dr. Smith is with a patient and cannot be interrupted.”
“My children know not to interrupt me while I am working.”
Interrupt (definition #2):
To abruptly (and rudely) speak before the other person is done talking. To “talk over” someone; to not let someone finish their sentence. To “cut someone short” during a conversation.
“I tried to share my idea, but John kept interrupting (talking over) me.”
“She cut me short when I tried to explain. I could barely say 3 words!”
Interrupt (definition #3):
To disrupt or distract in an abrupt or startling manner.
“Don’t interrupt me while I’m chopping vegetables! I might cut myself by accident.”
In English, it is common to say “Sorry to interrupt…” after knocking on someone’s door. You knock, they respond by saying “Come in!”, and as you open the door you say “Sorry to disturb you..” or “Sorry to interrupt…” before explaining the reason.
It is also polite to say “Sorry for the intrusion” or “Sorry to interrupt” when you must pull someone’s attention away from another person, or away from a task.
:)
- Simplified Chinese (China)
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