What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
infringe
Example
The company was sued for infringing on the patent of their competitor. [infringing: present participle]
Example
The new policy would infringe on the employees' right to privacy. [infringe: verb]
transgress
Example
He transgressed against his religious beliefs by committing a sin. [transgressed: past tense]
Example
The comedian's jokes transgressed the line of good taste. [transgress: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Infringe is more commonly used than transgress in formal or technical writing, while transgress is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between infringe and transgress?
Infringe is typically associated with a formal or technical tone, while transgress is more neutral and can be used in various formality levels.
