be infringed upon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be infringed upon" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal or formal contexts to indicate that someone's rights or freedoms are being violated or encroached upon. Example: "The new law raises concerns that individual privacy rights may be infringed upon without proper oversight."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

There must be a new coalition of all Americans -- black, white, red, yellow and brown, rich and poor -- who are no longer willing to allow their rights as human beings to be infringed upon by anyone else, for any reason.

Huffington Post

recognizes that certain rights belong to the state & cannot be infringed upon by the Nat.

The New York Times - Magazine

The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed upon.

The Guardian

That independence should not, and need not, be infringed upon now.

The New York Times

The right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed upon.

The New York Times

As a result, firms risk their patent applications to be pre-empted or to be infringed upon by rivals.

Research Policy

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

Meaning that it won't be infringing upon the existing, intellectual property belonging to someone else.

Huffington Post

"It's as though their guild is being infringed upon," Mr. Majeski said.

The New York Times

Whereas in the case of Bystander, there's no right that is infringed upon.

Yale University

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing legal or ethical issues, use "be infringed upon" to emphasize the violation of established rights and principles.

Common error

Avoid using "be infringed upon" in everyday conversations. Opt for simpler alternatives like "violated" or "restricted" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be infringed upon" functions as a passive verb phrase, typically used to indicate that a right, freedom, or principle is being violated or encroached upon. As shown by Ludwig, this usage appears in contexts where legal or ethical standards are being discussed.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be infringed upon" is a grammatically sound passive verb phrase primarily employed to denote the violation or encroachment upon a right, freedom, or principle. According to Ludwig, its use is most appropriate in formal, legal, and ethical contexts. It's frequently seen in news and media, academic writing, and scientific discussions. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, it's advisable to use simpler alternatives in casual settings to maintain a natural tone. Common synonyms include "be violated", "be encroached upon", and "be restricted", each carrying slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be violated

This alternative is a more direct and general term for the breaching of a right or agreement.

be encroached upon

This alternative suggests a gradual intrusion or advancement beyond recognized boundaries.

be transgressed

This alternative implies a violation of a moral principle or law.

be contravened

This alternative is a formal term indicating a conflict with a law or regulation.

be breached

This alternative is typically used in legal contexts to describe a violation of contract or duty.

be undermined

This alternative suggests a weakening or erosion of rights or principles.

be compromised

This alternative indicates that something has been exposed to danger or has had its quality or effectiveness reduced.

be curtailed

This alternative means to reduce or restrict something, specifically rights or freedoms.

be restricted

This alternative indicates a limitation or control placed on something.

be impeded

This alternative suggests obstruction or hindrance of a right or process.

FAQs

What does it mean when a right is said to "be infringed upon"?

When a right is said to "be infringed upon", it means that the right is being violated or encroached upon, typically by another person or entity.

What are some alternatives to saying "be infringed upon"?

You can use alternatives like "be violated", "be encroached upon", or "be restricted" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to use "be infringed on" instead of "be infringed upon"?

While "be infringed on" might be understood, "be infringed upon" is the more standard and grammatically correct phrasing.

In what contexts is it most appropriate to use the phrase "be infringed upon"?

The phrase "be infringed upon" is most appropriate in formal, legal, or ethical discussions where the violation of a right or principle is being emphasized.