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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Intervene: Definition, Usage & Common Mistakes (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：step in to help (intervene)

intervene 🔊

/ˌɪntəˈviːn/

vi.

to come between people or things in order to change or stop something, often to help.

Intervene meaning illustrated by a teacher stepping between arguing students

step in to help 🔊

➕

/step ɪn tə help/

vi.

To become involved in a situation in order to improve it or prevent it from getting worse.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'intervenire' ('inter-' meaning 'between' + 'venire' meaning 'to come').

💡 Mnemonic

Think: INTERrupt an EVENt. To INTERVENE is to come BETWEEN and interrupt what's happening.

📖 Example

The teacher had to intervene when two students started arguing in the classroom. 🔊 The teacher had to step in when two students began to argue in the classroom.

🔗 Collocations

intervene in a dispute – to become involved in an argument or conflict

intervene to prevent – to take action in order to stop something from happening

intervene on behalf of – to act in support or defense of someone

🔄 Synonyms

interfere (vi.) – to get involved in a situation where you are not wanted, often with negative connotation

mediate (v.) – to try to end a disagreement by talking to both sides

step in (phr. v.) – to become involved in a difficult situation, often informally

🚫 Antonyms

ignore (vt.) – to pay no attention to something

allow (vt.) – to let something happen without trying to stop it

🌱 Derivatives

intervention (n.) – the action of becoming involved in a situation to change it

intervenor (n.) – a person or organization that intervenes, especially in a legal process

📖 Cultural Story

Derived from Latin, initially used in legal and political contexts to mean 'to come between'. It now frequently describes diplomatic or military action in international affairs, such as UN intervention to prevent conflict.

Meaning 2：occur between events (intervene)

intervene 🔊

/ˌɪntəˈviːn/

vi.

to happen between two points in time.

Intervene definition showing time passing between events with an hourglass

occur between events 🔊

➕

/əˈkɜːr bɪˈtwiːn ɪˈvents/

vi.

For an event or period of time to happen between two other points in time.

📁 Category：Time & Dates 🔖 Level：Advanced

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

A sudden news report intervened between his speech and the planned dinner. 🔊 An unexpected news broadcast occurred between the conclusion of his speech and the scheduled dinner.

🔗 Collocations

intervene between – to happen or exist in the period separating two events

during the intervening period – in the time that passed between two specific dates or events

time intervenes – time passes or comes between, causing changes

🔄 Synonyms

elapse (vi.) – (of time) to pass or go by

intercede (vi.) – to occur between events (less common, formal)

🌱 Derivatives

intervening (adj.) – coming or happening between two points in time or events