Cool MateInterfere vs Intrude
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Interfere
Top 2,000 (common)C1verb
Intrude
Top 3,000 (common)
Most common: Interfere
| Interfere | Intrude | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˌɪntəˈfɪə(r)/","/ˌɪntəˈfɪəz/","/ˌɪntəˈfɪəd/","/ˌɪntəˈfɪərɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˌɪntərˈfɪr/","/ˌɪntərˈfɪrz/","/ˌɪntərˈfɪrd/","/ˌɪntərˈfɪrɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ɪnˈtruːd//🇺🇸 //ɪnˈtrud// |
| Meaning | To get in the way of something or someone. | To enter a place or situation where you are not wanted. |
| Example | I wish my parents would stop interfering and let me make my own decisions. | He didn't mean to intrude, but he overheard their conversation. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | seriously, directly, constantly, be allowed to, have a right to, attempt to, in, with | intrude on someone's space, intrude into someone's life, intrude upon privacy, intrude in a conversation, intrude into a situation |
| Antonyms | assist, help, support | respect, avoid, leave alone |
| 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. | Used incorrectly as 'intrusion' instead of 'intrude'., Confusing 'intrude' with 'interrupt'., Omitting the preposition 'on' or 'upon' after 'intrude'. |
| 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 'intrude' when discussing unwanted entry or disruption, typically in social or private contexts. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: Interfere vs Intrude
What's the difference between Interfere and Intrude?
Interfere: To get in the way of something or someone. Intrude: To enter a place or situation where you are not wanted.
Which is more common: Interfere and Intrude?
Interfere is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Interfere: I wish my parents would stop interfering and let me make my own decisions. Intrude: He didn't mean to intrude, but he overheard their conversation.
Can I use Interfere and Intrude interchangeably?
Not always. Interfere and Intrude 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.