do not interfere

USAGE SUMMARY

"do not interfere" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to politely ask someone not to meddle in a situation or to stay out of something. For example, you can say "Do not interfere in my business affairs, please."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Do not interfere.

Independent

But most, she said, do not interfere with everyday life.

The New York Times - Health

They are the rare owners who do not interfere.

The New York Times

We do not interfere in domestic affairs here in the United States.

The New York Times

"If you do not interfere in politics, you can move around freely," he said.

The New York Times

No shots are fired, and the Russians do not interfere with people's everyday lives.

The New Yorker

As difficult as this may be to observe, please do not interfere.

The New Yorker

"We do not interfere in the policies of Hezbollah," he said.

The New York Times

"We do not interfere in corporate management," Mr. Jin said in the interview.

The New York Times

The rebels do not interfere or even seem to care what questions I ask.

The Guardian

(Air phones communicate with ground-based antennas that do not interfere with cellular networks).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "do not interfere" when you want to politely, but firmly, request someone to allow a process or situation to unfold naturally without their intervention.

Common error

Avoid using "do not interfere" when the situation requires constructive feedback or assistance. "Interfere" suggests unwanted or detrimental involvement, so choose a different phrasing if your intention is helpful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "do not interfere" primarily functions as a negative imperative, used to issue a command or request that someone refrain from taking action or becoming involved in a particular situation. Ludwig AI highlights its use across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

59%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "do not interfere" is a common and grammatically correct negative imperative, used to request or command someone to avoid meddling or intervening in a situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears frequently in diverse contexts, including news, science, and general communication. When using the phrase, consider the potential for misinterpretation; ensure it aligns with your intention and doesn't come across as overly harsh or dismissive when constructive input is needed. Alternatives such as "refrain from intervening" or "avoid involvement" can offer a more formal or nuanced tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

refrain from intervening

Emphasizes a conscious decision to hold back from getting involved.

do not meddle

Similar to "interfere", but with a slightly more negative connotation of being annoying or intrusive.

avoid involvement

Highlights the act of consciously steering clear of participation or engagement.

do not intrude

Suggests avoiding unwelcome entry or involvement in a situation.

remain uninvolved

Focuses on a state of not being connected or participating in a particular situation or activity.

stay out of it

A more informal and direct way to tell someone to not get involved.

observe without acting

Focuses on watching a situation without taking any action to influence it.

do not tamper

Implies avoiding unauthorized alteration or manipulation, often in a technical context.

keep your distance

Implies maintaining a physical or emotional separation to avoid involvement.

leave it alone

A simple command to not touch or handle something, often implying that interference would be detrimental.

FAQs

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

You can use "do not interfere" to politely ask someone to refrain from meddling in a situation. For example: "Please, "do not interfere" with the experiment."

What's a more formal alternative to "do not interfere"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "refrain from intervening" or "avoid involvement". These options convey a similar meaning while maintaining a higher level of formality.

When is it appropriate to use "do not interfere"?

It's appropriate to use "do not interfere" when you want to strongly discourage someone from intervening in a situation where their involvement is unnecessary or could be detrimental.

What's the difference between "do not interfere" and "do not interrupt"?

"Do not interfere" implies preventing someone from completing an action or disrupting a process. "Do not interrupt" refers specifically to breaking someone's speech or train of thought.