interrupter
C1Formal to neutral
Definition
Meaning
A person or thing that interrupts or causes an interruption.
A device that breaks an electrical circuit automatically, such as a circuit breaker; also, in linguistics, a word or phrase inserted into a sentence that breaks its flow.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily refers to a person who speaks over others, but has technical meanings in engineering and linguistics. The agent noun form of 'interrupt'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning. Spelling is consistent. In technical contexts (electrical engineering), both varieties use the term identically.
Connotations
Slightly more formal in British English; in American English, can be used more freely in everyday contexts to describe an annoying person.
Frequency
More common in technical writing than in everyday speech in both varieties. Slightly higher frequency in American technical manuals.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
interrupter of [process/conversation]interrupter in [system/meeting]act as an interrupterVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “He's a chronic interrupter”
- “play the interrupter”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to someone who disrupts meetings or workflow; also used for devices that protect electrical systems.
Academic
Used in linguistics for parenthetical elements, and in engineering for safety devices.
Everyday
Most commonly describes a person who habitually cuts into others' conversations.
Technical
A device that breaks an electrical circuit under abnormal conditions (e.g., GFCI - Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He constantly interrupts the speaker.
- The fault caused the system to interrupt power.
American English
- She keeps interrupting our meetings.
- The storm interrupted the broadcast.
adverb
British English
- Not commonly used as an adverb.
- N/A
American English
- Not commonly used as an adverb.
- N/A
adjective
British English
- The interrupter switch is faulty.
- He has an interrupter role in discussions.
American English
- The interrupter device tripped.
- Her interrupter behavior is frustrating.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My brother is an interrupter. He talks when I am talking.
- The teacher told the interrupter to be quiet.
- Please don't be an interrupter during the presentation.
- A ground fault interrupter can prevent electric shocks.
- The serial interrupter derailed the productive discussion with off-topic remarks.
- Engineers installed an arc-fault circuit interrupter to enhance the building's safety.
- In syntactic theory, a parenthetical phrase is analysed as a type of interrupter that creates a discontinuity in the clause.
- The differential current interrupter disengaged the main supply within milliseconds of detecting the imbalance.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
INTERruptER = someone or something that puts an INTERruption in place.
Conceptual Metaphor
INTERRUPTION IS A BARRIER / INTERRUPTION IS A BREAK IN FLOW.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating directly as 'прерыватель' in non-technical contexts; for a person, 'тот, кто постоянно перебивает' is more natural.
- In technical contexts, 'прерыватель' is correct for a device.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing 'interrupter' (noun) with 'interrupted' (adjective/verb).
- Using 'interrupter' for a one-time event instead of a habitual actor.
- Misspelling as 'interuppter' or 'interruper'.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'interrupter' MOST likely to refer to a device rather than a person?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Mostly, but in technical contexts (e.g., a safety interrupter), it is neutral or positive as it prevents harm.
'Interrupter' is the agent (person/thing that does the interrupting). 'Interruption' is the event or act itself.
No, 'interrupter' is only a noun. The verb form is 'to interrupt'.
No, 'interrupter' is gender-neutral. 'Interruptress' is archaic and not used in modern English.
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