invade someone's privacy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "invade someone's privacy" is grammatically correct and usable in written English
You can use it when referring to an action whereby a person or persons intrudes upon the private thoughts, feelings and/or actions of another person without permission. For example: "John has been accused of invading his neighbor's privacy by installing hidden cameras in her home."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

I also thought it was private; there's no need to invade someone's privacy for something that's fictitious," she says, her sensitivity towards privacy clearly a by-product of her own upbringing in the shadow of her paparazzi-plagued siblings.

Independent

Make sure that it's really necessary that you invade someone's privacy, before you try to.

WikiHow

"You can't just invade someone's privacy".

The New York Times

It is also vital to consider whether republication in a major news outlet might invade someone's privacy.

Independent

But when you go to the point where you invade someone's privacy, the leader of certainly Europe, if not one of the most foremost leaders in the world, Angela Merkel, then it was a mistake".

The Guardian

On Friday Kate Green, the Labour MP for Urmston and Stretford and shadow minister for women and equalities, said: "It is totally unacceptable to humiliate people or invade someone's privacy when there is absolutely no public interest in the story.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

The immediate assumption, in the days after his killing, was that Lo Presti had been murdered for invading someone's privacy.

The Guardian

As a journalist being accused of invading someone's privacy, there is always a risk that it will stick to your name," she said.

The Guardian

But the assurance we need, more than balance, is that an authority invading someone's privacy will be able to exercise restraint; and that is the bit that proves such a challenge.

The Guardian - Opinion

Don't invade someone's personal space, just as you would not invade anyone else's.

WikiHow

How can you do that if you know you will be personally judged, skewered, betrayed?" And, third, that such attention is morally wrong that a career as an actor doesn't entitle the public to a piece of the actor's private life: "Just to set the record straight, a salary for a given on-screen performance does not include the right to invade anyone's privacy, to destroy someone's sense of self".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing legal matters or ethical considerations, use "invade someone's privacy" to emphasize the violation of personal rights and boundaries.

Common error

Be mindful that what constitutes an invasion of privacy can vary based on cultural norms, legal jurisdictions, and individual expectations. Ensure that the action you're describing genuinely oversteps reasonable boundaries of privacy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "invade someone's privacy" functions as a verb phrase, with "invade" acting as the verb and "someone's privacy" as the object. It describes an action that violates a person's right to keep their personal life and information private. Ludwig examples confirm its role in describing such violations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "invade someone's privacy" is a commonly used and grammatically correct expression describing actions that violate a person's right to privacy. As indicated by Ludwig, it's most frequently found in News & Media and Wiki contexts. When using this phrase, it's important to consider the legal, ethical, and cultural implications of privacy. Alternatives such as "breach someone's confidentiality" or "intrude upon someone's private life" can provide nuanced ways to convey similar meanings. Remember that what constitutes an invasion of privacy can be subjective, so ensure the action genuinely oversteps reasonable boundaries.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intrude upon someone's private life

Highlights the act of entering someone's personal sphere without invitation.

breach someone's confidentiality

Focuses specifically on the violation of confidential information.

compromise someone's privacy

Indicates that someone's private information has been exposed or put at risk.

violate someone's personal boundaries

Emphasizes the crossing of acceptable limits in personal interactions.

encroach on someone's private space

Suggests a gradual or subtle intrusion into someone's personal area.

infringe on someone's privacy rights

Specifically addresses the legal or moral right to privacy being violated.

undermine someone's privacy

Highlights the weakening or erosion of someone's privacy over time.

pry into someone's affairs

Implies an inquisitive and unwelcome investigation into someone's personal matters.

trespass into someone's private domain

Uses a stronger term, 'trespass', to suggest a more serious invasion.

snoop on someone

Informal term meaning to secretly watch or listen to someone.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "invade someone's privacy"?

You can use alternatives such as "breach someone's confidentiality", "intrude upon someone's private life", or "violate someone's personal boundaries" depending on the specific context.

What actions are considered to "invade someone's privacy"?

Actions that "invade someone's privacy" can include unauthorized access to personal data, surveillance without consent, or public disclosure of private facts. The definition can vary legally and ethically.

Is there a legal definition of "invade someone's privacy"?

Yes, the legal definition of actions that "invade someone's privacy" varies by jurisdiction and typically involves the intrusion upon the solitude or seclusion of another, or public disclosure of private facts that would be offensive to a reasonable person. These actions can have legal consequences.

What's the difference between "infringe on someone's privacy rights" and "invade someone's privacy"?

"Infringe on someone's privacy rights" specifically refers to the violation of legal rights to privacy, whereas "invade someone's privacy" is a broader term that includes actions that may not necessarily be illegal but are still considered intrusive or unethical.