intervene
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
to step into a situation or argument to help solve a problem or stop something bad from happening.
to intentionally become involved in a difficult situation in order to improve it or prevent it from worsening.
Simple“The teacher had to intervene when the two students started shouting at each other.”
In context“The central bank decided to intervene in the currency markets to prevent a further collapse of the exchange rate.”
UsageOften used with the preposition 'in'.
- 02 C1 Advanced
to happen between two events or points in time.
to occur or exist between two events, periods, or points in time.
Simple“Many years intervened between their first meeting and their eventual marriage.”
In context“In the decades that intervened between the two wars, the social fabric of the country underwent a radical transformation.”
UsageUsually intransitive; the subject is typically the time or event that occurs between two points.
Synonymselapsepass - 03 C1 Advanced
to say something while other people are talking.
to interrupt a conversation or discussion, often to clarify a point or offer a different perspective.
Simple“I'm sorry to intervene, but I think you have the wrong facts.”
In context“The chairman intervened to remind the speakers that they were straying from the main agenda of the meeting.”
Synonymsinterruptinterject - 04 C2 Proficiency
to join a legal case to protect your own rights, even if you were not part of it at the start.
to enter into a lawsuit as a third party for the protection of one's own interests.
Simple“The insurance company sought to intervene in the case to protect its financial interests.”
In context“The court allowed the environmental group to intervene in the proceedings, recognizing their legitimate interest in the outcome of the land dispute.”
UsageTypically used in civil litigation contexts.
“Previous requests from the Palestinian families to the Israeli military present at the site to intervene have not helped.”
“Whilst it is welcome that the prime minister has intervened to review the policy, more now needs to be done to ensure the probation service can safely manage people in the community.”
Back-formation from intervention, and/or from Latin interveniō (“come between”, verb).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.