What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
infringe
Example
The company was found to have infringed on several patents owned by their competitor. [infringed: past tense]
Example
The new policy would infringe on the employees' right to privacy. [infringe: verb]
violate
Example
The athlete was suspended for violating the league's drug policy. [violating: present participle]
Example
It is important not to violate the trust of your friends and family. [violate: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Violate is more commonly used than infringe in everyday language. Violate is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while infringe is less common and typically used in legal or technical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between infringe and violate?
Infringe is typically associated with a more formal tone, while violate can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
