We've all experienced it. You're halfway through explaining a story when someone suddenly blurts out the ending of your sentence. At first, it can feel frustrating or even disrespectful. Many people assume the other person is impatient, trying to dominate the conversation or showing poor manners. But psychology says that isn't always the case. While repeatedly interrupting others can sometimes reflect impatience or poor listening habits, research suggests there are several other reasons why people finish someone else's sentences. In many situations, the brain is simply doing what it does best, predicting what comes next. Studies in communication, cognitive psychology and neuroscience suggest that conversational habits are influenced by predictive thinking, empathy, familiarity and the brain's remarkable ability to anticipate language.
In other words, someone who completes your sentence may not always be trying to interrupt; they may be processing your thoughts faster than you expect.
