Break in means to force your way into a house or car, usually to steal something. The second meaning is to interrupt someone else's conversation: break in on a conversation. Sorry to break in is a polite way to interrupt people who are talking.
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break in (through + window/door); break in on + conversation/person; break in with + question; a break-in (noun)
- Thieves broke in while we were on holiday and took our laptop.
- During the interview, the manager broke in with a question about my last job.
- Someone broke in last night, so the shop will stay closed until noon.
What changed
First versionSorry to break in your conversation, but the taxi is already outside.
RevisionSorry to break in on your conversation, but the taxi is already outside.
It can seem that in already means 'into the conversation'. But in is part of the verb break in, and the conversation being interrupted is introduced with on: break in on a conversation.
Break in doesn't need an object, but if you name the place, you need into: Thieves broke in through the window, but Thieves broke into the flat. The first meaning also gives the noun a break-in, a burglary: There was a break-in at our school.
Your turn
Someone ___ through the back window while we were at the cinema.
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broke in — The gap isn't followed by the place that was entered, but by through the back window, the way in. So you need broke in. Broke into has to be followed by a place: broke into the house.
Imagine you need to interrupt your colleagues' conversation because of something urgent. Write a sentence with break in on and give the reason.
Sorry to break in on your discussion, but the client is on the phone and needs an answer now.
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