Infringe, Impinge, Encroach, Trespass, or Invade? (in legal context)
Infringe可及物，也可不及物，但Garner’s Dictionary of LegalUsage (3rd edition)指出infringe is better used transitively，尤其是在被动句中使用及物动词更合适。比如，the defendant has failed to show either that his rights were infringed or that there was a procedural irregularity.如果是用不及物的形式，一般说infringe on/upon sth，但不如用impinge, encroach or trespass这几个不及物动词。
Impinge是不及物动词！只能说impinge on/upon sth，如they impinged on the voter’s right。Garner还指出，尽管infringe和impinge经常互换使用，但应记住这两个词的connotation是不一样的。impinge = to strike or dash upon something else，infringe则是break in (damage, violate, or weaken)。此外，impinge on/upon后面必须要写清遭侵犯的事物，不能说these policies impinge when we do something。Impinge on what or whom?
Trespass和encroach都是不及物动词：trespass on sth; encroach on/upon sth。
Invade，及物动词，如the paparazzi invaded my privacy。
这些词尽管都有to move wrongfully into someone else’s rightful territory的含义，但在使用时需要考虑上下文选择合适的词。
Infringe implies an encroachment that without question violates another’s rights.
Impinge implies a more or less violent collision with something else, and therefore a sudden and striking infringement.
Encroach suggests a gradual and hardly perceptible movement into another domain and an unnoticed extension of one’s possession of land so as to transgress the proper boundary.
Trespass implies an unlawful entrance or unwarranted intrusion.
Invade implies a clear, abrupt penetration into someone else’s rightful domain, usually with hostility and resulting injury.
简言之，infringe强调侵犯的“确定无疑性”；impinge是“具有冲击力的、突然的”侵犯；encroach是“逐渐的、难以察觉的”侵犯行为；trespass强调非法的“进入、入侵”；invade突出侵犯行为是“不友善的、会造成损害的”。
