intrude upon

USAGE SUMMARY

'intrude upon' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to someone or something entering a situation or place without being invited or wanted. For example, you could say: "The neighbor started to intrude upon our privacy by peeking into our backyard."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The press would not intrude upon that.

The New York Times

Thanks for letting me intrude upon you at this time.

The New Yorker

Should such ugly reality intrude upon their fantastic worlds?

The New York Times

I didn't want to intrude upon his journey.

The New York Times - Magazine

Pledge to never again let AV intrude upon polite conversation.

The Guardian - Opinion

What you have to be careful of is appearing, as author, to intrude upon your narrative.

The New York Times

SOME of the world's most significant problems never intrude upon headlines.

The Economist

In the guise of judicial restraint the court ought not to intrude upon the other branches.

The New York Times

Not that he allowed the digital world to intrude upon his well-ordered life.

Independent

Images of men dying on the battlefield intrude upon the peaceful scene.

The New York Times - Arts

But this uncomfortable reality is never allowed to intrude upon the pastoral idyll.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "intrude upon" to describe a situation where someone's presence or actions are unwelcome or disruptive, especially in contexts involving privacy, personal space, or established boundaries. For example: "I didn't want to intrude upon their private conversation."

Common error

Avoid using "intrude in" instead of "intrude upon". The correct preposition to use with "intrude" in this context is "upon", as it indicates a violation or unwanted entry onto something.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "intrude upon" functions as a phrasal verb, typically indicating an unwelcome or disruptive entry into a space, situation, or someone's privacy. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is grammatically correct and widely accepted.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Science

7%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "intrude upon" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrasal verb that describes an unwelcome entry or disruption. Ludwig AI affirms its validity. It is most frequently found in "News & Media" contexts, as shown in the examples provided by Ludwig, indicating its relevance in reporting on events that involve violations of privacy or disturbances. While "intrude upon" can be used in both formal and informal settings, it is crucial to avoid the error of using "intrude in" instead. Consider alternatives like "infringe upon" or "encroach upon" depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

infringe upon

Emphasizes violating someone's rights or boundaries.

encroach upon

Focuses on gradually taking over someone's space or rights.

trespass upon

Highlights the act of unlawfully entering someone's property or domain.

impinge upon

Suggests a negative impact or restriction on something.

interfere with

Indicates involvement that disrupts or hinders something.

disturb

Implies causing disruption or interruption.

disrupt

Stresses the act of disturbing the normal course of events.

butt in

Indicates interrupting a conversation or situation rudely.

horn in

Suggests an uninvited entry into a situation, typically for personal gain.

muscle in

Implies using force or influence to enter a situation against someone's will.

FAQs

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

You can use "intrude upon" to describe someone or something entering a space or situation without invitation or welcome. For example: "I didn't want to "intrude upon" their meeting."

What's a formal alternative to "intrude upon"?

A more formal alternative to "intrude upon" could be "infringe upon", which implies a more serious violation of rights or boundaries.

What is the difference between "intrude upon" and "interfere with"?

"Intrude upon" suggests entering a space or situation uninvited, while "interfere with" implies disrupting or hindering something, not necessarily involving physical entry.

Is it correct to say "intrude in" instead of "intrude upon"?

No, the correct phrasing is ""intrude upon"". "Intrude in" is not standard English usage in this context.