interfere

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "interfere" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when one person or thing is disrupting or interfering with another person or thing. For example: "The dog began to interfere with the cat, causing a lot of commotion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Nasdaq's rules state broadly that independent directors cannot have a relationship that "would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director".

The New York Times

He said: "We have a desire to learn from other conflict resolution processes and, if possible, to be helpful to those who want to build peace" but that republicans did not want to interfere with the affairs of other countries.

The Guardian

The first breakthrough in this quest was the discovery that gold utensils, as well as looking fabulous, are inert and so do not interfere with the flavour of food or drink.

The Guardian - Tech

"No one has the right to interfere in what comes under the state's authority," he said.

The Guardian - Arts

They don't want to spend any money and they don't want to interfere with a failed housing market.

The Guardian

On the eve of his visit to Lausanne, Kerry said he would not take responsibility for Cotton's intervention, which he said was an unprecedented attempt to interfere in an executive's foreign negotiations.

The Guardian

Who would wish to interfere with this winning formula?

The Guardian - Business

It is not so long since he was castigating Miliband for, er, wanting to interfere with the sacred freedom of energy companies to indulge in naked profiteering.

The Guardian

This great blogpost from Urban Forum chief executive Toby Blume, which looks at the involvement of the banking industry in the Big Society Bank: "But the price for that investment is that the government 'lay off them' in the future, promise not to introduce any more taxes on the banks and not to interfere with their size, business model or structure.

The Guardian

Attorney general George Brandis, who approved warrants for searches of the former officer's home and Collaery's office, rejected suggestions that he was trying to interfere in the international arbitration of the case, in which procedural hearings will start on Friday in The Hague.

The Guardian

Turnbull conceded that some of the ABC's post-budget interviews were aggressive, but said it was not up to him to interfere in the day-to-day running of the broadcaster.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "interfere", clarify the specific area or process being affected and the nature of the interference. This provides context and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "interfere" vaguely. Instead of saying "Don't interfere," specify what should not be interfered with. For example, "Don't interfere with the investigation" provides clearer guidance.

Linguistic Context

The verb "interfere" primarily functions to describe the act of intervening in a way that disrupts or hinders a process or activity. Ludwig AI highlights this usage with examples where "interfere" indicates unwanted involvement or obstruction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The verb "interfere" is a versatile term used to describe the act of disrupting or hindering something, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Its grammatical function is primarily to express an unwanted intervention or obstruction. The phrase's register is neutral, making it suitable for various contexts, from News & Media to Formal & Business communications. When using "interfere", clarity is crucial; specify what is being interfered with to avoid ambiguity. Remember, while "interfere with" and "interfere in" are both valid, they carry slightly different nuances, with "interfere with" implying disruption and "interfere in" suggesting unwarranted involvement. Overall, "interfere" is a common and useful word with diverse contexts and clear guidelines for effective usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intervene inappropriately

Highlights the act of stepping in when it is not wanted or suitable.

meddle in affairs

Indicates unwanted or nosy involvement in someone else's business.

disrupt operations

Stresses the interruption and disordering of regular activities.

obstruct the process

Focuses on blocking or hindering a procedure or series of actions.

obstruct justice

Specifically refers to actions that prevent fair legal processes.

impede action

Emphasizes the slowing down or prevention of an action or task.

hinder development

Highlights the slowing or stopping of growth or expansion.

obstruct progress

Focuses on the hindering of advancement or development.

intrude upon privacy

Focuses on the violation or disturbance of someone's personal space or solitude.

tamper with evidence

Indicates unauthorized alteration or manipulation of evidence, often in a legal context.

FAQs

How to use "interfere" in a sentence?

You can use "interfere" to describe unwanted involvement or obstruction, as in "I always try not to "interfere with" other people's personal affairs".

What can I say instead of "interfere"?

You can use alternatives like "meddle", "obstruct", or "impede" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "interfere with" or "interfere in"?

Both "interfere with" and "interfere in" are correct, but they have slightly different nuances. "Interfere with" generally implies disrupting or hindering something, while "interfere in" suggests getting involved in something that is not your concern.

What's the difference between "interfere" and "intrude"?

"Interfere" implies disruption or obstruction, while "intrude" suggests entering a space or situation without permission or invitation. The former focuses on impact, the latter on presence.