infringed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "infringed" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal contexts to indicate that someone's rights or privileges have been violated or encroached upon. Example: "The company was sued for infringing on the patent rights of a smaller competitor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It accepted Lovatt's argument that his neighbour's privacy was not being infringed, as his garden was visible from the Lovatts' house and the presence of a camera made no difference.

The Guardian

But while the Palestinians have stuck to their agreement to postpone pressing their case for statehood at international bodies, Israel has infringed its unannounced de facto moratorium on settlement expansion with recent moves on the retroactive legalisation of four unauthorised outposts and the construction of 300 houses at Beit El.

The Guardian

The pair have brought the case in the Brooklyn federal court, where they claim the food company have infringed their trademark with a "phonetic play on Daryl Hall and John Oates' well-known brand name".

The Guardian - Music

But the National party has flatly rejected the allegation it infringed the rapper's work and says the backing came from an Australian-based production outfit.

The Guardian

The Czech office for the protection of personal data, found that although Ryneš had been trying to expose the perpetrators of a crime, he had infringed data-protection rules and issued him with a fine.

The Guardian

The pro-CCTV lobby argue that they are within their rights to use cameras to protect their properties; the anti-camera brigade argue that their rights are being infringed by their neighbours' prying cameras.

The Guardian

"And we will end practices that risk making Britain a place where our children grow up so used to their liberty being infringed that they accept it without question".

The Guardian

According to Amnesty, the prosecution's refusal to deliver evidence to the defence at the pre-trial stage infringed international standards and Malaysian law.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Second Amendment says, "A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed".

The New York Times

But since they have not infringed on freedom of choice, they do not think it a crime.The two authors spelt out their plan in an article from 2004 dedicated to the late Sherwin Rosen, Mr Thaler's thesis adviser.

The Economist

No way, said Mr Bosman's lawyers and the European Union's highest court agreed: those rules infringed EU law on the free cross-border movement of labour.As it had to, UEFA gave way: out of contract, a player was now a free agent.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about legal matters, ensure that you use "infringed" to specifically denote a violation of a right, law, or patent. This term carries a specific legal weight.

Common error

Avoid using "infringed" loosely as a general substitute for similar terms like "affected" or "influenced". "Infringed" has a strong legal connotation related to rights and laws, unlike more general terms.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "infringed" is as the past participle or past tense of the verb "infringe". It typically describes an action that violates or encroaches upon a right, law, or agreement. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples where "infringed" denotes a breach of established rules or rights.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "infringed" is a commonly used verb, primarily found in News & Media. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and effective for conveying the violation of rights or laws. While synonyms such as "violated" or "transgressed" exist, "infringed" carries a specific legal weight, making it crucial in precise writing. Remember to use it accurately, ensuring that the context clearly indicates the breach of a specific right or law. Its high frequency and consistent usage across reputable sources underline its importance in legal and formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

violated

This term is a direct synonym, indicating a breach of a rule or law.

transgressed

Implies exceeding limits or boundaries, often in a moral or legal context.

encroached upon

Specifically refers to gradually intruding on someone's rights or property.

breached

Focuses on breaking an agreement, law, or standard.

contravened

Signifies actions that conflict with or go against a law or regulation.

impinged on

Suggests having a negative effect or restricting something.

flouted

Indicates open disregard or defiance of a rule or law.

trespassed against

Relates to unlawfully entering or damaging someone's property or rights.

overstepped

Implies exceeding proper limits or authority.

invaded

Stronger term suggesting an aggressive intrusion or violation.

FAQs

How is "infringed" typically used in legal contexts?

In legal contexts, "infringed" is used to describe the violation or encroachment upon someone's rights, such as patent rights, copyrights, or civil liberties. For instance, a company might be sued for "violating patent rights".

What are some common synonyms for "infringed"?

Common synonyms for "infringed" include "violated", "transgressed", and "encroached upon". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "infringed" and "affected"?

"Infringed" specifically implies a violation of a right or law, while "affected" simply means influenced or impacted. Using "affected" instead of "infringed" would weaken the legal implication.

How do I use "infringed" correctly in a sentence?

To use "infringed" correctly, ensure the sentence clearly indicates that a right or law has been violated. For example, "The defendant's actions "contravened" international standards and "infringed" upon the plaintiff's copyright."