might impinge on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "might impinge on" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something may have an effect or impact on another thing, often in a negative or limiting way. Example: "The new regulations might impinge on our ability to operate freely in the market."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

He reportedly scrutinizes every bill before President Bush signs it, searching for any language that might impinge on Presidential power.

The New Yorker

Notwithstanding this, we identified valuable data about the context in which such initiatives are implemented and the type of factors that might impinge on implementation.

Social Science & Medicine

They seem to have wanted some sort of judicial review, especially of state laws or actions that might impinge on the authority of the national government.

The New Yorker

Mr. Kelly's assertion that an inspector general might impinge on law enforcement — or somehow make the city less safe — is utter nonsense.

The New York Times

In light of this horrendous situation, Xinjiang deserves a prominent place in the United States' China policy — regardless of how it might impinge on any grand strategic bargains that Washington is seeking with Beijing.

The Washington Post

His affection for a variety of strongmen, from Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to Vladimir Putin to Duterte, is the flip side of his consistent disdain for internationalist institutions and liberal values that might impinge on a leader's bold initiatives.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

In the cellular populations in which EGFR-NCE is active, however, it might impinge heavily on the regulation of EGFR signalling, since we have shown that while CME is primarily coupled with EGFR recycling to the cell surface (and therefore with sustainment of signalling), NCE is largely devoted to commit the receptor to lysosomal degradation (Sigismund et al, 2008).

EMBO Journal

And though Austen was very much a private person — her novels were published anonymously at first — there is also a trace here of a public world that she mostly turned her back on, as if it might crassly impinge on her novelistic universe.

The New York Times - Arts

Civil libertarians like Floyd Abrams and the American Civil Liberties Union have somehow argued that depriving these mega-conglomerations of cash and greed their "right" to buy elections might somehow impinge on the First Amendment.

Huffington Post

The president, they'll argue, is commander-in-chief and the "sole organ" of power in foreign affairs; a statute of the sort I'm suggesting might improperly impinge on his authority.

Huffington Post

Because hypertonic stress leads to covalent modifications of histones [36], [37], we hypothesized that the histone modifications or remodeling might directly impinge on OREBP-mediated gene transcription by regulating its accessibility to target DNA.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "might impinge on" when you want to express a potential negative or limiting impact without stating it as a certainty. It adds a nuance of possibility and caution.

Common error

Avoid using "might impinge on" in very casual or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "may affect" or "could influence" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "might impinge on" functions as a modal verb phrase followed by a prepositional phrase. It introduces a sense of possibility or contingency regarding the impact of one thing on another. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correctly used in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

45%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "might impinge on" suggests a possible negative impact or encroachment. Grammatically correct and typically used in neutral to formal contexts such as news, media, and scientific writing, as Ludwig AI confirms. While it's a valid and useful expression, simpler alternatives like "may affect" or "could influence" are sometimes preferable in informal settings. To make your writing more precise, consider the specific nuance you want to convey – whether it's a gradual intrusion, a potential consequence, or a risk of interference.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could encroach upon

Replaces "impinge" with "encroach", emphasizing a gradual intrusion.

may have an impact on

Substitutes "impinge" with the more general term "impact", broadening the sense of effect.

could affect

Simplifies the phrase, using a more direct and common verb.

may influence

Focuses on the potential to alter or guide something.

might bear upon

Uses a more formal and literary alternative to "impinge", suggesting relevance.

could have repercussions for

Highlights the potential consequences or aftereffects.

may interfere with

Emphasizes the potential for obstruction or hindrance.

might infringe upon

Suggests a more forceful violation or restriction.

could undermine

Implies a weakening or damaging effect.

may compromise

Indicates a potential reduction in quality or effectiveness.

FAQs

What does "might impinge on" mean?

The phrase "might impinge on" suggests that something could potentially have a negative effect or impact on something else. It indicates a possibility of encroachment or limitation.

How can I use "might impinge on" in a sentence?

You can use "might impinge on" to express concerns about potential negative consequences. For example: "The new regulations "might impinge on" our ability to compete effectively."

What are some alternatives to "might impinge on"?

Alternatives include phrases like "may affect", "could influence", or "may have an impact on" depending on the context.

Is "might impinge on" formal or informal?

"Might impinge on" tends to be more formal. In casual conversations, simpler phrases like "could affect" might be more suitable.