intervening
intervening — adjective
1. describing the time, events, or objects that fill the gap separating two other p
describing the time, events, or objects that fill the gap separating two other points, dates, or things
In the intervening years, Gabriel moved twice and started a bakery.
fixed phrase: in the intervening years
Police checked every intervening alley between the station and the river.
intervening + place noun between two locations
An intervening wall kept the children from seeing the neighbor's garden.
During the intervening weeks, Talia saved enough money for the train ticket.
Two intervening meetings delayed Omar's phone call to the design team.
- intermediate
more formal and often used in technical or educational contexts
- in-between
more conversational and less common before formal nouns like 'period'
- separating
emphasizes the barrier or divide more than the time gap
文法句型
intervening + years/months/weeks
intervening + wall/space/object
用法筆記
Usually comes before a noun and often helps compare two points in time or place. In phrases like 'the intervening years', the focus is on what filled the gap rather than on either end point itself.
常見錯誤
intervening — verb
1. to deliberately step into a process or problem so that you can change the result
to deliberately step into a process or problem so that you can change the result, usually to protect someone or limit damage
Doctors intervened quickly when Elise stopped breathing after the crash.
intervene quickly in an emergency
The principal is intervening before the online bullying spreads further.
intervene before harm grows worse
Social workers intervened to keep the twins in a safer home.
Linh stepped back until the coach intervened and calmed both players.
Early treatment can stop the infection if nurses intervene in time.
- stand aside
deliberately choose not to act
文法句型
intervene to + verb
intervene in + problem/process
intervene in time
用法筆記
This sense usually involves a person, group, or institution acting on purpose. It differs from sense 2 and sense 3 because the subject here chooses to step in, often to prevent harm or improve the outcome.
常見錯誤
2. to lie or take place in the space or time that separates two places, dates, or e
to lie or take place in the space or time that separates two places, dates, or events
A public holiday intervened between the two exam dates that week.
intervene between two times
Several mountain ridges intervened between Nia's village and the coast.
intervene between two places
Only three days intervened between Tomas's interview and the final offer.
A narrow canal intervenes between the market and the old mosque.
- come between
closest everyday paraphrase
- separate
often transitive, so it describes the result more directly
- lie between
more neutral and often used of place rather than time
- adjoin
describes two things touching with nothing in the middle
文法句型
intervene between A and B
days/months intervene between two events
用法筆記
The subject is usually a period of time, a physical barrier, or another event rather than a person. Distinguish it from sense 1, where an agent intentionally steps in to change what happens.
常見錯誤
3. to come in unexpectedly and alter the progress of a plan, conversation, or seque
to come in unexpectedly and alter the progress of a plan, conversation, or sequence of events, often by causing delay or complication
A passport problem intervened and postponed Stephanie's move to Seoul.
unexpected problem intervenes
Other plans intervened, so Asher missed the weekend workshop.
set phrase: other plans intervened
A sudden storm intervened and kept the ferry at the dock.
Budget worries intervened before the museum could order the new lights.
- interrupt
more direct and often shorter in everyday use
- intrude
stronger and more clearly unwanted
- complicate
focuses on the added difficulty rather than the sudden arrival
- proceed
continue without outside interruption
文法句型
plans/events/circumstances intervene
something intervenes and + result
用法筆記
This sense is often used when outside circumstances take control of the sequence. The subject is normally an event, a practical problem, or another commitment, not a person acting on purpose.
常見錯誤
4. to enter a legal case that other people have already started so that you can def
to enter a legal case that other people have already started so that you can defend your own claimed interest
The insurance company intervened after the lawsuit began against the factory.
legal third party enters an existing case
A neighborhood group intervened in the land case to protect beach access.
intervene in + legal case
When the mining permit was challenged, the tribal council intervened in court.
Tomas asked to intervene because the ruling could affect his family's farm.
- join the proceedings
plain-English paraphrase rather than a fixed legal term
- enter the case
simpler wording that keeps the same legal idea
- withdraw
leave a case or choose not to take part
文法句型
intervene in a case
move to intervene
intervene in court
用法筆記
This is a legal sense, not the everyday sense of stepping in to help. It usually refers to joining an existing case because the final ruling may affect your rights, property, or another protected interest.
常見錯誤
5. to step into another country's internal conflict or decisions, usually with pres
to step into another country's internal conflict or decisions, usually with pressure, threats, or force, in order to make something happen or stop it
The army intervened after the neighboring government refused to close the border.
state or military intervention
Several powers were accused of intervening in the election with covert money.
intervene in + election
No country wanted to intervene militarily in the island's civil war.
The minister denied that his government had intervened in the island nation's election.
- stay neutral
avoid taking sides or stepping in
- withdraw
remove forces or influence after involvement
文法句型
intervene in a war
intervene in an election
intervene militarily
用法筆記
Used in political or military contexts when one state or outside power presses another. It is stronger and more politically charged than sense 1, which can describe helpful action in ordinary situations.