Cool MateInterfere vs Intervene
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Interfere
Top 2,000 (common)C1verb
Intervene
Top 2,000 (common)C1verb
| Interfere | Intervene | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˌɪntəˈfɪə(r)/","/ˌɪntəˈfɪəz/","/ˌɪntəˈfɪəd/","/ˌɪntəˈfɪərɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˌɪntərˈfɪr/","/ˌɪntərˈfɪrz/","/ˌɪntərˈfɪrd/","/ˌɪntərˈfɪrɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˌɪntəˈviːn/","/ˌɪntəˈviːnz/","/ˌɪntəˈviːnd/","/ˌɪntəˈviːnɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˌɪntərˈviːn/","/ˌɪntərˈviːnz/","/ˌɪntərˈviːnd/","/ˌɪntərˈviːnɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To get in the way of something or someone. | to get involved in a situation in order to help or change it |
| Example | I wish my parents would stop interfering and let me make my own decisions. | The teacher decided to intervene when she saw the students arguing. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | C1 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb |
| Collocations | seriously, directly, constantly, be allowed to, have a right to, attempt to, in, with | actively, directly, personally, be forced to, have to, be powerless to, against, between, in |
| Antonyms | assist, help, support | ignore, withdraw |
| Common mistakes | 'Interfere' is often confused with 'intervene', which has a slightly different meaning., Learners sometimes use 'interfere' without a preposition, which can sound awkward., Using 'interfere' when talking about positive involvement instead of negative disruption. | 'Intervene' is often confused with 'interrupt'—they mean different things., Some learners use 'intervene' without a context—always specify what you're intervening in., Often mistakenly used in passive voice, but it should remain active. |
| Usage notes | Use 'interfere' in situations where someone or something disrupts another's activities. It's generally neutral but can be negative in formal contexts, like in work or legal matters. | Use 'intervene' in contexts where someone takes action to stop or change something. It's neutral and suitable for both formal and informal situations. Avoid using it in very casual conversations. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: Interfere vs Intervene
What's the difference between Interfere and Intervene?
Interfere: To get in the way of something or someone. Intervene: to get involved in a situation in order to help or change it
Are Interfere and Intervene the same CEFR level?
Interfere: C1, Intervene: C1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Interfere and Intervene?
Interfere: verb, Intervene: verb.
Can you show an example of each?
Interfere: I wish my parents would stop interfering and let me make my own decisions. Intervene: The teacher decided to intervene when she saw the students arguing.
Can I use Interfere and Intervene interchangeably?
Not always. Interfere and Intervene are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.