What Does “Interfere with sb” Mean?
“Interfere with sb” means to get involved in someone else’s affairs or actions in a way that is unwanted or causes trouble.
Introduction
The phrase “interfere with sb” is commonly used in English to describe situations when someone disrupts or meddles in another person’s matters. Understanding the “interfere with sb meaning” helps learners communicate clearly about unwanted involvement or interruption. This expression is often used in both formal and informal contexts, especially when describing conflicts, privacy issues, or obstacles caused by someone else’s actions. Knowing how to use this phrase correctly improves your ability to express boundaries and frustrations politely.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: interfere with somebody
- Type: transitive
- Level: B2 (Upper-Intermediate)
- Short meaning: to get involved in someone’s affairs in an unwanted way
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Interfere with sb” is an inseparable phrasal verb, which means you cannot separate the verb and the preposition by adding an object in between.
Structure:
- Subject + interfere with + somebody/something
- Example: She doesn’t like anyone interfering with her work.
How to Use “Interfere with sb”?
You use “interfere with sb” when you want to say that someone is wrongly or unnecessarily involving themselves in another person’s business or actions. It often has a negative meaning because interference usually causes problems or annoys the person affected. The phrase can also refer to something stopping or disturbing a process or function.
Examples
Here are some examples of how to use “interfere with sb in a sentence” naturally:
- My parents always interfere with my decisions, which makes me feel frustrated.
- Please don’t interfere with my plans; I want to handle this on my own.
- His constant interference with the team’s work slowed down the project.
- She warned him not to interfere with the negotiations.
- Noise from the construction site interfered with my concentration.
Common Mistakes
It’s easy to make mistakes when using “interfere with sb,” especially confusing it with similar verbs.
- Incorrect: Don’t interfere sb’s work.
- Correct: Don’t interfere with sb’s work.
- Incorrect: He interferes on their conversation.
- Correct: He interferes with their conversation.
Remember, “interfere” always requires the preposition “with.”
Differences / Synonyms
When comparing “interfere with sb” to similar phrases, it’s important to note the subtle differences:
- Interfere with sb: unwanted involvement that causes problems.
- Medal in sb’s business: informal, often more negative than interfere.
- Interrupt sb: to stop someone speaking or doing something temporarily.
- Disturb sb: to bother or annoy someone, often by noise or actions.
“Interfere with” usually refers to more serious or ongoing involvement than just a quick interruption.
Common Collocations
Here are some common objects or phrases used with “interfere with,” showing what is being disturbed or involved:
- Interfere with work – to disrupt someone’s job or tasks.
- Interfere with plans – to cause problems in someone’s arrangements.
- Interfere with communication – to disturb or block the exchange of information.
- Interfere with privacy – to invade someone’s personal space or information.
- Interfere with equipment – to cause technical problems or malfunctions.
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of interfere with sb:
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a short conversation using “interfere with sb” naturally:
Anna: Why do you keep telling me what to do? It feels like you’re interfering with my decisions.
Ben: I’m sorry, I just want to help. I didn’t mean to interfere.
Anna: I appreciate that, but please let me handle it myself.
Practice
Try this exercise to practice “interfere with sb”:
Choose the correct sentence:
- a) Don’t interfere the meeting.
- b) Don’t interfere with the meeting.
- c) Don’t interfere on the meeting.
Answer: b) Don’t interfere with the meeting.
FAQs
- Q: Can “interfere with sb” be positive?
A: Usually no, it suggests unwanted involvement. - Q: Is “interfere” always followed by “with”?
A: Yes, “interfere” is always used with the preposition “with.” - Q: Can I say “interfere in” instead?
A: “Interfere in” is less common and usually refers to interfering in a situation or event, not a person. - Q: What is the difference between “interfere with” and “interrupt”?
A: “Interrupt” means to stop someone briefly, while “interfere with” means to cause ongoing problems. - Q: Is “interfere with” formal or informal?
A: It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.
