intervene

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'intervene' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the idea of intervening or intervening in something, such as a situation. For example: "The UN decided to intervene in the conflict between the two countries."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

If the home secretary is told this is going to happen and she does not intervene, then she's approving it.

The Guardian

They would further allege that when the off-duty officer tried to intervene, he was "threatened by the man armed with the tyre lever".

The Guardian

Half thought the government should intervene to prevent a housing bubble.

The Guardian

Kentucky senator Rand Paul, who is expected to announce his presidential bid on Tuesday, has expressed deep reluctance to intervene with military force abroad, while a candidate such as Jeb Bush, the former Florida governor and brother of George W Bush, may be more ready to support a new military deployment in the Middle East.

The Guardian

McCain and Republican senator Lindsey Graham have threatened to withhold US funds to the UN should the White House not intervene on the issue of Palestinian statehood.

The Guardian

Lenihan went on RTE's Morning Ireland today to defend the late decision to intervene in the bonus row and block the €40m payouts.

The Guardian - Business

In interviews, Miliband argued that his decision to intervene in the energy markets was a special case prompted by unique failures in the flawed structure of the energy industry, rejecting claims that he was marching the party back to an era of socialism.

The Guardian

Amnesty issues this information, called an "urgent action", to encourage people around the world to send letters and emails to government leaders with the power to intervene, or to sign petitions calling for change.

The Guardian

And even then, law enforcement had to use a tape measure to sort out jurisdiction, gauging the distance between the barrel of the gun and the point of bullet impact to persuade the local police to intervene.

The New York Times

Our system of regulation is failing to deliver consistently good quality care across the country or pick up on unacceptable variations and intervene".

The Guardian

If successful, this will almost certainly lead to the closure of the Kigoma region's Mtabila camp, and mark the end of a process that has caused many to doubt the government's commitment to the rights of refugees and the ability of the UNHCR to intervene when these are breached.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "intervene" when you want to emphasize a deliberate act of getting involved in a situation to change its course or outcome. It implies a direct and intentional action to alter events.

Common error

Avoid using "intervene" in very informal settings where simpler words like "help" or "step in" would be more appropriate. The word carries a certain weight and can sound overly formal in casual conversation.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "intervene" is as an intransitive verb. It signifies an action of coming between parties or events, often to modify or prevent an outcome. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples of its usage in sentences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "intervene" is a grammatically correct and very common verb that signifies the action of coming between people, things, or events, typically to alter the outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used in News & Media, with its use indicating a deliberate action to influence a situation. While appropriate in many contexts, it is most effective in formal or neutral settings where its inherent weight adds gravitas. Alternative phrases such as "mediate", "intercede", and "step in" can provide nuanced alternatives, depending on the specific intent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

step in

Indicates a more informal and immediate action to halt something.

mediate

Implies acting as a neutral third party to resolve a dispute.

intercede

Suggests pleading or acting on behalf of someone else.

arbitrate

Suggests a formal and binding intervention to resolve a dispute.

get involved

Suggests becoming part of a situation, often to influence it.

become involved

Indicates a broader sense of participation, not necessarily to stop something.

take action

Emphasizes the initiation of measures to address a situation.

take a hand in

Suggests assuming some level of control or influence.

get in the middle

A colloquial expression for becoming involved in a conflict.

enter the fray

Implies joining an ongoing conflict or competition.

FAQs

How can I use "intervene" in a sentence?

You can use "intervene" to describe stepping into a situation to alter its course. For example, "The teacher had to intervene in the argument between the students."

What are some alternatives to "intervene"?

You can use alternatives like "mediate", "intercede", or "step in" depending on the context.

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

"Intervene" often implies a helpful or justifiable reason for getting involved, whereas "interfere" can suggest an unwelcome or obstructive intrusion. While both suggest getting involved, "intervene" typically carries a more positive connotation.

When is it appropriate to use "intervene" in a formal context?

It's appropriate in contexts where a formal or official action is taken to resolve a problem, such as a government intervening in an economic crisis or a referee intervening in a sports match.