could interfere with

USAGE SUMMARY

"could interfere with" is a perfectly grammatical and usable phrase in written English.
For example, "The new regulations could interfere with our production timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Out-of-date antivirus definitions could interfere with patching.

Columbia University

"Sometimes I think that could interfere with treatment".

The New York Times

Prosecutors said their actions could interfere with the investigation.

The New York Times

That could interfere with filtering that is going on today.

The New York Times

Con: Trees could interfere with sightlines during large meetings.

The New Yorker

The study also provides preliminary evidence that task complexity could interfere with professional skepticism.

Accounting, Organizations and Society

Glucosamine and chondroitin could interfere with the widely used blood thinner warfarin (Coumadin).

Harvard University

A soldier was subject to military jurisdiction, and nobody could interfere with the Armed Forces.

Yale University

Rain or snow could interfere with the signal or knock the radio antenna out of kilter.

The New York Times - Tech

In the glorious sunlight, no one could interfere with this secure love of ours.

The New Yorker

Baseball could presumably eliminate them before next season, but other developments could interfere with that.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "could interfere with", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being interfered with and what the potential consequences are. For example, "Lack of funding could interfere with the project's completion."

Common error

Avoid using "could interfere with" in vague statements. Instead of saying "Technology could interfere with society", specify which technologies and which aspects of society are at risk.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could interfere with" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating a potential action or event that might disrupt or negatively affect something else. This is supported by Ludwig AI, which confirms its grammatical correctness. It suggests a possibility, not a certainty.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "could interfere with" is a versatile phrase used to express the possibility of disruption or negative impact. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, and its frequent occurrence across news, scientific, and academic sources underscores its broad applicability. When employing this phrase, it's crucial to provide clear context, specifying what might be affected and the nature of the potential consequences. Alternatives such as "might disrupt" or "may hinder" can offer nuanced variations in meaning. By avoiding overly broad statements and ensuring clarity, you can effectively use "could interfere with" to convey caution and concern.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might disrupt

Replaces "interfere" with "disrupt", emphasizing disturbance.

may disrupt

Similar to "might disrupt" but with a slightly different modal verb.

may hinder

Substitutes "interfere" with "hinder", highlighting obstruction.

could impede

Uses "impede" in place of "interfere", stressing the slowing or prevention of progress.

might affect negatively

Rephrases to emphasize the negative impact.

might negatively impact

Rephrases to emphasize negative impact with the term "impact".

may compromise

Uses "compromise" to suggest a weakening or undermining effect.

could undermine

Replaces "interfere" with "undermine", focusing on weakening something gradually.

could clash with

Replaces "interfere" with "clash", suggesting conflict.

might obstruct

Substitutes "interfere" with "obstruct", highlighting blocking or preventing.

FAQs

How can I use "could interfere with" in a sentence?

Use "could interfere with" to indicate a possibility of disruption or negative impact. For instance, "The new regulations "could interfere with" the company's expansion plans".

What are some alternatives to "could interfere with"?

You can use alternatives like "might disrupt", "may hinder", or "could impede" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "could interfere with" and "could affect"?

"Could affect" is a broader term, indicating any kind of influence. "Could interfere with" specifically implies a negative or disruptive influence.

Is it better to use "may interfere with" or "could interfere with"?

Both "may interfere with" and ""could interfere with"" are grammatically correct and indicate possibility. "Could" often implies a slightly higher degree of certainty or likelihood than "may".