impinge upon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "impinge upon" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe the act of having an effect or impact on something, often in a negative or intrusive way. Example: "The new regulations may impinge upon the company's ability to operate efficiently."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I wouldn't want to impinge upon his creative process".

The Guardian - Books

Like the forces of history, the forces of nature impinge upon Istanbul.

Britannica

­ It was not the kind of love that children could impinge upon.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

How do we dare to impinge upon these areas of such delicate, difficult questions?

The New York Times

They described how both organizational and national cultures can foster or impinge upon innovation.

Stanford University

His defence of national sovereignty, subsidiarity and democracy mysteriously evaporates as soon as they impinge upon corporate power.

The Guardian - Opinion

Most nations participate in treaties that could impinge upon a music service's ability to operate without right-holders' consent.

The New York Times

How do we dare to impinge upon these areas of such delicate, difficult questions?" Mrs. Clinton asked the crowd.

The New York Times

Some bans will directly impinge upon our popular freedoms, such as excluding dogs (except assistance dogs) from nature reserves.

The Guardian - Opinion

Incoming shock stress waves impinge upon the two interface cracks normal to their surfaces.

International Journal of Solids and Structures

The term "safety culture" refers to background factors which impinge upon safety management systems, drawing particular attention to cultural features of organisations and these impinge upon effective control and risk management processes.

IFAC-PapersOnLine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "impinge upon" when you want to express that something has a noticeable or intrusive effect on something else. It's suitable for describing abstract concepts, rights, or personal boundaries.

Common error

While "impinge upon" is a correct and valid phrase, avoid using it in very informal contexts where simpler alternatives like "affect" or "impact" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "impinge upon" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to express that something has a direct and often negative effect on something else. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in a wide range of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

42%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "impinge upon" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase that means to have a noticeable or intrusive effect on something. Ludwig AI confirms that it sees the expression "impinge upon" as appropriate in many contexts. Predominantly found in science, news and media, and academic sources, it carries a formal tone and is best used when describing a limitation, encroachment, or restriction. While it's a valid expression, consider simpler alternatives like "affect" or "impact" in more informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

affect

This alternative is a more direct and general term for having an influence.

influence

This alternative suggests a less forceful or direct effect.

impact

This alternative emphasizes the effect or result of the action.

encroach on

This alternative suggests a gradual intrusion or infringement.

infringe on

This alternative specifically refers to violating or limiting rights or freedoms.

have an effect on

This alternative is a more verbose way of expressing influence.

bear upon

This alternative is a more formal and literary way of saying affect.

press on

This alternative suggests applying pressure or force.

weigh on

This alternative implies a burdensome or troubling effect.

touch on

This alternative suggests a brief or superficial treatment of a topic.

FAQs

What does "impinge upon" mean?

The phrase "impinge upon" means to have an effect or impact on something, often in a way that is negative or intrusive. It suggests an encroachment or limitation.

How can I use "impinge upon" in a sentence?

You can use "impinge upon" to describe how one thing affects another, especially when it involves limitation or intrusion. For example: "The new regulations may "affect" the company's ability to operate efficiently."

What are some alternatives to "impinge upon"?

Alternatives to "impinge upon" include "affect", "influence", "impact", "encroach on", or "infringe on". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to use "impinge upon" or "affect"?

While both phrases are grammatically correct, "impinge upon" suggests a more noticeable or intrusive effect than "affect". Choose "impinge upon" when you want to emphasize a sense of limitation or intrusion, otherwise, "affect" is a suitable replacement.