to encroach upon

USAGE SUMMARY

"to encroach upon" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing situations where one party intrudes or infringes on the rights, territory, or space of another. Example: "The new development plans may encroach upon the protected wildlife area." Alternative expressions include "to infringe on" and "to trespass on."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

"The purpose of the impeachment provision was precisely, if you read the Federalist, to protect American liberty against the encroachments of a chief executive who would abuse his or her power to encroach upon liberty," Nadler said in one floor speech.

The Washington Post

They are for cafes to encroach upon With their fenced-off alfresco spaces.

The New York Times

Playing live music in an apartment, it's impossible not to encroach upon your neighbors".

The New York Times

But it has been allowed to encroach upon areas of human experience that should be shielded form its violent incursions.

The Guardian - Opinion

As the days slip by, the glare of the setting sun begins to encroach upon Virgo's appendages.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

After winning re-election, Paes allowed the golf course to encroach upon a 58,500 square metre area of the Marapendi municipal natural park.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

The deposit wars are only going to escalate between J.P.Morgan and its main rivals Bank of America and Wells Fargo, as it looks to further encroach upon their territories.

Forbes

In the same year his government passed the European Union Act, mandating that a national referendum be held whenever the EU threatened to encroach significantly upon UK sovereignty.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Obama administration has proposed keeping the tax cuts in place for most Americans, and there's virtually no chance of lawmakers allowing the AMT, which is not indexed for inflation, to encroach drastically upon the electorate.

Forbes

The real question we need to be asking is: If we've allowed our right to privacy to be encroached upon as far as we already have, how much further are we willing to let it go in exchange for security?

Huffington Post

Another example is the way that adjacent businesses realize that financial transactions are an integral part of their activity, too, and are starting to innovate and encroach upon what has traditionally been defined as financial services.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to encroach upon" when you want to emphasize a gradual or subtle intrusion into someone's territory, rights, or power. It's particularly effective when describing abstract concepts or intangible boundaries.

Common error

While "to encroach upon" is grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal or stilted in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "intrude on" or "interfere with" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to encroach upon" functions primarily as a verb phrase indicating an action of gradual intrusion or infringement. It suggests a subtle and often unwanted advance into someone else's territory, rights, or power, similar to examples identified by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Academia

27%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Science

9%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to encroach upon" signifies a gradual and subtle intrusion into someone's territory, rights, or power. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts, particularly in news, academic, and encyclopedia sources. While authoritative, it's advisable to consider simpler alternatives in informal settings. Remember that synonyms like "infringe on", "intrude on", or "trespass on" can often provide a more appropriate tone depending on the specific situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to infringe on

Emphasizes violating someone's rights or freedom.

to intrude on

Highlights entering someone's space or privacy without permission.

to impinge on

Focuses on a negative impact or restriction.

to trespass on

Implies entering someone's property unlawfully.

to overstep

Suggests exceeding the limits of what is acceptable or permissible.

to make inroads into

Highlights gradual progress or influence, often in a competitive context.

to advance upon

Indicates a forward movement with the intention of taking over.

to encroach

The core verb, lacking the prepositional emphasis of the full phrase.

to impose on

Highlights the burden or inconvenience caused by the intrusion.

to overreach

Suggests expanding influence or authority beyond reasonable or legitimate boundaries.

FAQs

What does "to encroach upon" mean?

The phrase "to encroach upon" means to gradually intrude or infringe on someone's rights, territory, or authority. It suggests a slow and subtle process of taking over or diminishing something.

How can I use "to encroach upon" in a sentence?

You can use "to encroach upon" to describe situations where one entity gradually infringes on the domain of another. For example: "The new regulations may "infringe on" individual liberties."

What are some alternatives to "to encroach upon"?

Alternatives include "infringe on", "intrude on", or "trespass on", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "encroach on" or "encroach upon"?

Both "encroach on" and "encroach upon" are grammatically correct, but "to encroach upon" often sounds more formal and emphasizes the gradual nature of the intrusion. The choice depends on the context and desired tone.