English

interject

gb/ˌɪntɚd͡ʒˈɛkt/ us/ˌɪntɚd͡ʒˈɛkt/
C1 English
Senses
0 senses
Verb C1 action
1

interrupt to say something

to interrupt and say something quickly

Usage pattern: [someone] interjects (that) [statement] / interjects with [comment]
Common mistake:
Don’t confuse interject (say something) with inject (put liquid/medicine into something).
Synonyms
interrupt (More general; can be nonverbal or stop someone completely.) | butt in (More informal and often rude.) | chime in (More positive; suggests joining in helpfully rather than interrupting.)
Antonyms
keep quiet (Not speaking or not adding anything.) | listen (Receiving rather than interrupting with speech.)
Collocations
interject a comment |interject a question |interject an objection |interject briefly |interject politely |interject suddenly |interject to say |interject that |interject with a remark
Themes
communication |conversation |social_interaction
Examples
  • Before she could finish, he interjected, “That’s not what I meant.”
  • I tried to explain, but the manager kept interjecting with corrections.
  • She interjected to remind everyone about the deadline.
Learner examples
  • Sorry to interject, but I have a question.
  • He interjected with a short comment.
Verb formal C1 action
2

insert a remark or clause

to add a short extra comment inside something

Usage pattern: [someone] interjects [something] into [speech/text]
Common mistake:
Interject usually takes something small (a comment, clause), not a long speech.
Synonyms
insert (Neutral and broader; not necessarily spoken or interrupting.) | add (More general; doesn’t emphasize placing it in the middle.) | interpose (More formal; can imply placing something between two things.)
Antonyms
omit (Leave something out instead of adding it.) | remove (Take out an inserted part.)
Collocations
interject a remark |interject an aside |interject a clause |interject a note |interject a parenthetical |interject into a sentence |interject into the narrative |interject humor
Themes
writing |communication |education
Examples
  • The author interjects a brief explanation in parentheses.
  • He interjected a joke into the story to lighten the mood.
  • Try not to interject too many side comments into the report.
Learner examples
  • She interjected a short note into the email.
Verb formal C2 action
3

place something between two things

to put something in between

Usage pattern: [someone] interjects [something] between [thing A] and [thing B]
Common mistake:
This physical sense is much less common than the speaking sense.
Synonyms
insert (More common; does not necessarily stress 'between'.) | interpose (Closer in meaning; often suggests a barrier or separation.)
Antonyms
remove (Take out what is between.) | join (Bring parts together rather than separating them.)
Collocations
interject a barrier |interject an obstacle |interject a layer |interject a buffer |interject a delay |interject a pause
Themes
general |technical
Examples
  • A third party tried to interject itself between the two companies during negotiations.
  • The court order effectively interjected a delay between the decision and its implementation.
Grammar
Dictionary form
interject
IPA
GB/ˌɪntɚd͡ʒˈɛkt/
US/ˌɪntɚd͡ʒˈɛkt/
Syllables & stress
in - ter - ject (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (ter)
Word forms
Verb
  • Base: interject
  • 3rd Person Singular: interjects
  • Present Participle: interjecting
  • Past: interjected
Word family
Forms
interjects verb interjecting verb interjected verb
Core family
interjection noun C1
Related words
interrupt verb B1 interruption noun B2
Advanced or less common
interjectional adjective
Expressions

interject into [something]

1
/ˌɪntɚd͡ʒˈɛkt ˈɪntu sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase formal

insert a remark into something

to add something in the middle

Examples
  • He interjected a personal story into the discussion.
  • The editor interjected a clarifying sentence into the paragraph.
  • She didn’t want to interject into their argument.

interject with [something]

1
/ˌɪntɚd͡ʒˈɛkt wˈɪθ sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase

interrupt by adding a comment

to interrupt and say something

Examples
  • He interjected with a suggestion before anyone could respond.
  • She interjected with a quick question about the budget.
  • The lawyer interjected with an objection.

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