What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
infringement
Example
The company was sued for infringement of the patent. [infringement: noun]
Example
Copying and distributing copyrighted material without permission is an infringement of the law. [infringement: noun]
violation
Example
The driver was given a ticket for violation of traffic laws. [violation: noun]
Example
The company was fined for violation of environmental regulations. [violation: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Violation is more commonly used than infringement in everyday language. Violation is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while infringement is less common and is typically used in legal or technical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between infringement and violation?
Both infringement and violation are formal words that are typically used in legal or technical contexts. However, violation is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.