infringe upon

USAGE SUMMARY

"infringe upon" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when someone or something encroaches on or violates the rights or interests of another. For example: "The company was found guilty of infringing upon the copyright of another artist."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The word did not mean to "infringe upon", as if to mean inconvenience or put borders around, establish parameters.

Huffington Post

He argues that such products infringe upon his trademark.

The New Yorker

These measures need not be intrusive, or infringe upon sovereignty.

The Guardian

First, many of his suggestions infringe upon the free market and the choices of consumers.

The New York Times

They worry that the rising tide of secular liberalism will infringe upon their Christian faith.

The Guardian

But Morrisons insists its tie-up with Amazon doesn't infringe upon the contract it signed with Ocado.

The Guardian - Business

Akio Okuyama, president of the Japanese Institute of Certified Public Accountants, said that the act would "infringe upon Japanese sovereignty".

The Economist

"We are citizens of the P.R.C., and without a court order, no one can infringe upon our personal freedoms".

The New York Times

"To infringe upon Chinese people's cultural rights on the pretext of human rights is just ridiculous," Mr. Ma said.

The New York Times

And if they could indeed "inflict injury," might they not infringe upon the religious freedoms of his targets?

The New Yorker

"U.S. ratification of the treaty would not infringe upon rights guaranteed by the Second Amendment," the report said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "infringe upon" when you want to express that something is negatively impacting or limiting someone's rights, freedoms, or possessions. Be precise about what is being infringed upon to provide clarity.

Common error

While "infringe upon" is widely accepted, it may sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "affect" or "impact" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "infringe upon" functions primarily to express the violation or encroachment of rights, laws, or personal boundaries. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound. Examples show its use in contexts ranging from legal matters to personal freedoms.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "infringe upon" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrasal verb that signifies the violation or encroachment of rights, freedoms, or established boundaries. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for use in formal and neutral contexts, particularly in news, legal, and academic settings. While highly prevalent in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, it's advisable to use simpler alternatives such as "encroach on" or "violate" in casual conversations to avoid sounding overly formal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

encroach on

Implies gradually intruding on someone's rights or territory.

violate

Suggests a clear breach of a law, right, or principle.

transgress

Indicates going beyond the limits of what is morally or legally acceptable.

impinge on

Means to have an effect on something, often in a restrictive or negative way.

invade

Implies entering and occupying a place or situation by force, often metaphorically.

trespass on

Suggests unlawfully entering someone's property or rights.

breach

Indicates a failure to observe a law or agreement.

undermine

Implies weakening or eroding something, often gradually.

trench upon

Suggests a forceful intrusion or encroachment.

disrupt

Implies interrupting or disturbing something.

FAQs

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

Use "infringe upon" to indicate that something is encroaching on or violating a right, freedom, or boundary. For example, "The new regulations may "infringe upon" personal liberties".

What are some alternatives to "infringe upon"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "encroach on", "violate", or "impinge on" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it better to use "infringe on" or "infringe upon"?

"Infringe on" and "infringe upon" are often used interchangeably, but "infringe upon" is generally considered more formal. Both are grammatically correct, so the choice depends on the context and desired tone.

What does it mean for a patent to "infringe upon" another?

When a patent "infringes upon" another, it means that the new invention uses, sells, or imports something that is already protected by an existing patent, without permission from the patent holder.