to intervene
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to intervene
To actively intervene in order to end or prevent a negative development, a conflict, or a crime. This is often done by authority figures such as the police or by referees.
Als die Demonstration gewalttätig wurde, musste die Polizei einschreiten.
When the demonstration became violent, the police had to intervene.
The word consists of 'ein-' (in) and 'schreiten' (to stride, to step). It figuratively describes how someone 'steps into' a situation in order to take action and restore order.
Der Schiedsrichter musste einschreiten, um das Foul zu ahnden.
The referee had to intervene to penalize the foul.
'Einschreiten' (to intervene) is a separable verb. In a main clause, the prefix 'ein-' comes at the end of the sentence. The perfect tense is formed with 'sein' because 'schreiten' expresses movement.
Bei dem Lärm schreitet die Polizei sofort ein.
Because of the noise, the police intervene immediately.
This verb is often used with authorities such as 'die Polizei' (the police), 'die Regierung' (the government), or 'die Behörden' (the authorities). One often intervenes 'gegen' something negative (e.g. violence) or 'bei' an event (e.g. a conflict).
Die internationale Gemeinschaft muss gegen diese Ungerechtigkeit einschreiten.
The international community must intervene against this injustice.
'Einschreiten' (to intervene) belongs to formal language and is mainly used in official, legal, or journalistic contexts. It describes decisive and authoritative intervention.
Die Aufsichtsbehörde drohte damit, bei weiteren Verstößen einzuschreiten.
The supervisory authority threatened to intervene in the event of further violations.
to intervene / engage
Eingreifen is the more general term for actively influencing a problematic situation. Einschreiten specifically refers to corrective, often authoritative action against a conflict, a violation, or a crime. Einschreiten is therefore especially appropriate when an authority figure stops misconduct.
Ein Polizist schritt ein, als der Streit zwischen den beiden Männern eskalierte.
A police officer intervened when the argument between the two men escalated.
Ein Passant griff ein, als der Streit zwischen den beiden Männern eskalierte.
A passerby intervened when the argument between the two men escalated.
