are infringing upon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are infringing upon" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing violations of rights, laws, or boundaries, typically in legal or formal contexts. Example: "The new construction project is infringing upon the protected wildlife habitat."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Melissa Brotz, a spokeswoman for Abbott, based in Abbott Park, Ill., said, "We do not believe that we are infringing upon any of their patents".

The New York Times

NVIDIA has just filed patent lawsuits against both Samsung and Qualcomm, claiming the companies are infringing upon its graphics chip patents.

TechCrunch

The suit, which aims to block Apple from importing virtually all of its current hardware to the U.S., alleges that Apple's devices are infringing upon seven Motorola patents.

TechCrunch

NVIDIA has just filed patent lawsuits against both Samsung and Qualcomm, claiming the companies are infringing upon its graphics chip patents.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

When human rights are infringed upon there is not even a place you can go to complain".

The Guardian

Smokers argue that their personal freedoms are infringed upon by the imposition of any restriction on their habit.

The New York Times

The "rule of law", is what your newspaper has always argued for.Yet you miss a larger point: it is precisely to maintain social and economic inequalities, that these political rights are infringed upon.

The Economist

It allows corporations from across the Atlantic access to each other's markets and, with the "investor-state dispute settlement", threatens to give private corporations the ability to take governments to court if their profits are infringed upon.

The Guardian - Opinion

Finally, the right to seek judicial redress comes into play when the first two rights are infringed upon, and again this requires further judicial reform.

BBC

The American people are more informed than ever before about data privacy, encryption and what's at stake if either of these are infringed upon.

TechCrunch

A state can't, for example, argue that its own laws are infringed upon by a rule until that rule legally exists.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are infringing upon" in formal contexts when discussing violations of rights, laws, or boundaries. Ensure the subject clearly identifies what is being violated.

Common error

Avoid using "are infringing upon" in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "are violating" or "are affecting" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are infringing upon" functions as a verb phrase indicating a present progressive action of violating or encroaching upon something. This usage is commonly found in legal, business, and ethical contexts, as demonstrated by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "are infringing upon" is a grammatically correct and usable English phrase that signifies a violation or encroachment. Ludwig AI confirms this with its analysis. While not extremely common, it finds its place in formal writing, particularly in news, legal, and academic contexts. The phrase is best used to assert a claim of violation, but should be avoided in informal conversation where simpler alternatives are preferable. Related phrases include "are violating" and "are encroaching on", each carrying subtle differences in nuance. Ensure clear context when using the phrase to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are violating

Directly indicates a breach of rules or laws.

are transgressing upon

Implies crossing a boundary or limit.

are encroaching on

Suggests a gradual intrusion on someone's space or rights.

are impinging on

Indicates a negative impact or restriction.

are trespassing upon

Suggests unauthorized entry or use.

are encroaching upon

Suggests a gradual advance beyond proper limits.

are overstepping

Indicates exceeding acceptable limits or boundaries.

are breaching

Highlights a break or failure to observe a law, agreement or code of conduct.

are flouting

Suggests open disregard or defiance of a rule or law.

are defying

Shows open resistance or disobedience.

FAQs

What does "are infringing upon" mean?

The phrase "are infringing upon" means to be violating or encroaching on someone's rights, property, or legal protections. It suggests an act that undermines or diminishes something that is protected by law or custom.

What can I say instead of "are infringing upon"?

You can use alternatives like "are violating", "are encroaching on", or "are breaching" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "are infringing on" or "are infringing upon"?

"Are infringing upon" is generally considered more formal and grammatically complete. "Are infringing on" is also acceptable but less common in formal writing.

How to use "are infringing upon" in a sentence?

To use "are infringing upon" correctly, make sure the sentence clearly indicates what rights or laws "are being violated". For example, "The new construction project is infringing upon the protected wildlife habitat."