did not interfere

USAGE SUMMARY

"did not interfere" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is an example of the past tense negative form of the verb "interfere". Example sentence: I told him not to interfere, but he did not interfere.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Police officers watched, but did not interfere.

The New York Times

For five weeks, Piterman did not interfere.

The Guardian - Sport

But Ms. Givens did not interfere.

The New York Times - Books

Abbott said it was important Brussels did not interfere.

The Guardian

The authorities did not interfere with the demonstration.

The New Yorker

Talk's executives said Mr. Weinstein did not interfere unduly.

The New York Times

Yeltsin just did not interfere in this process.

The New Yorker

The police did not interfere with that rally.

The New York Times

It was a ruse, and it worked: soldiers hovered but did not interfere.

The New Yorker

And O'Reilly, who disagreed with some of the output, did not interfere editorially.

The Guardian

Her waywardness did not interfere with the continuing development of the novels.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "did not interfere" to clearly communicate a lack of intervention, especially when contrasting with a potential expectation of involvement. It provides a neutral tone and avoids implying judgment.

Common error

Avoid using "did not interfere" when simpler phrases like "left it alone" or "stayed out of it" would suffice. Overusing this phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or complex in informal situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "did not interfere" functions as a verb phrase expressing the absence of intervention or obstruction. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct. It indicates a deliberate choice to remain uninvolved in a particular situation or process, as shown in the examples from Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

41%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "did not interfere" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression to indicate a lack of intervention. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, with examples spanning news, science, and general contexts. While versatile, it leans towards formal usage, so consider simpler alternatives in casual settings. It is frequently found in "Science" and "News & Media" sources. Related phrases include "remained uninvolved" and "took no action". Remember, this phrase conveys a deliberate choice to abstain from involvement, offering a neutral description rather than necessarily implying approval or disapproval.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remained uninvolved

This alternative emphasizes a lack of active participation or engagement.

took no action

This phrase highlights the absence of any specific intervention or measure.

abstained from intervention

This is a more formal way of saying someone chose not to get involved.

left it alone

This suggests a deliberate decision to not touch or alter something.

kept out of it

This implies a conscious effort to avoid involvement in a situation.

did not meddle

This suggests avoiding unwanted or intrusive involvement.

held back

This implies a restraint from acting or intervening.

refrained from acting

Highlights the conscious choice to not take action.

stood aside

This suggests a passive observation without any direct influence.

passed up the opportunity to intervene

This highlights that the phrase has a sense of decision, the person decided not to get involved.

FAQs

How can I use "did not interfere" in a sentence?

You can use "did not interfere" to indicate a lack of intervention in a situation. For example, "The police observed the protest but "did not interfere" with the demonstrators."

What are some alternatives to "did not interfere"?

Alternatives include "remained uninvolved", "took no action", or "abstained from intervention", depending on the context.

Is "did not interfere" formal or informal?

"Did not interfere" is relatively neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though it leans slightly towards the formal side. Consider your audience when choosing between this phrase and a more casual option like "stayed out of it".

What's the difference between "did not interfere" and "ignored"?

"Did not interfere" implies a conscious decision to not get involved, even if one was aware of the situation. "Ignored", on the other hand, suggests a lack of attention or acknowledgement. One can "did not interfere" because it was the correct choice, while ignoring suggests negligence or disregard.