intervene

/ˌɪntəˈviːn/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌɪntərˈviːn/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌin-tər-ˈvēn/ (ame, mw)

intervene — verb

  • intervenepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • interveneshe / she / it
  • intervenedpast simple
  • intervening-ing form

1. to step into a situation where people are arguing, fighting, or in trouble, espe

1.動詞不及物B2
釋義

to step into a situation where people are arguing, fighting, or in trouble, especially in order to stop something bad from happening or to help solve a problem.

例句

Christopher intervened when his neighbours started arguing loudly about the fence.

intervene (intransitive) describing stepping into a dispute

The UN sent a team to intervene in the growing conflict between the two countries.

intervene + in + noun phrase (conflict/situation)

同義詞
  • step in

    more informal and direct; implies acting quickly without formal authority

  • mediate

    more specific; acting as a neutral third party to help two sides reach agreement

  • arbitrate

    more formal; a neutral person makes a binding decision after hearing both sides

反義詞
  • stay out of

    to deliberately avoid becoming involved

  • ignore

    to pay no attention to a problem that might need action

文法句型

intervene + in + noun phrase (e.g. intervene in a dispute)

intervene + on behalf of + noun phrase

用法筆記

Frequently followed by the preposition 'in' to introduce the situation or 'on behalf of' to introduce the person being helped. Unlike the similar word 'interfere', this verb usually carries a positive or neutral tone — the intervention is meant to help, not to meddle.

常見錯誤

❌The teacher intervened the fight between the two students.
✅The teacher intervened in the fight between the two students.
💡'Intervene' is intransitive and requires 'in' before the object.
❌The boss interfered in the team dispute to restore peace.
✅The boss intervened in the team dispute to restore peace.
💡'Interfere' suggests unwanted meddling, while 'intervene' suggests a helpful or necessary action.

2. to occur during the period separating two events or moments, often altering what

2.動詞不及物C1
釋義

to occur during the period separating two events or moments, often altering what was planned or causing a hold-up.

例句

Several months intervened between the earthquake and the arrival of emergency supplies.

temporal structure: [time period] + intervene + between + [event A] and + [event B]

A storm intervened as the rescue team was about to start the final climb.

[unexpected event] + intervene + to block or delay an action

同義詞
  • interrupt

    more active and direct; implies something stops an ongoing action

  • occur between

    neutral and literal; lacks the sense of disruption or delay

文法句型

[period of time] + intervene + between + [event A] and + [event B]

[unexpected event] + intervene + to delay/change plans

用法筆記

Subject is typically a period of time or an unexpected event. Often used in past tense to explain why something did not happen as planned. The intervening event is presented as an external circumstance, not a person's choice.