What does intervening mean?
“Intervening” describes something that comes between other people, events, periods, or stages. Its most common use is in noun phrases such as “the intervening years,” “the intervening period,” and “an intervening event,” where it identifies a span of time or an occurrence that separates two other points or incidents. For example, an intervening court case may delay the final decision in a dispute, while intervening repairs can explain why a building remains closed. The word can also be used as the present participle of “intervene,” meaning to enter a situation in order to change or interrupt it, as in “the government intervened in the dispute.” In this latter use, it is formal and often carries a connotation of outside or authoritative action. Although “intervening” can evoke neutrality, its verb sense may imply that the intervening party believes action is necessary.
Existing, occurring, or coming between two people, things, times, or events.
"There was a substantial improvement during the intervening decade."
Chiefly attributive and especially common with words such as “period,” “years,” “months,” and “event.”
Entering a dispute or situation in order to alter, interrupt, or prevent its course.
"Several witnesses intervened before the argument could escalate."
This is the present participle of “intervene” and is less common than the adjectival use. It is more formal than “stepping in.”
An intervening moment may seem empty, but history often turns on what happens between its headline events.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does intervening come from?
The adjective was formed from “intervene” with the present-participle ending “-ing.” “Intervene” comes through French from Latin “intervenire,” formed from “inter,” meaning “between,” and “venire,” meaning “to come,” so its original sense was literally “to come between.” The resulting English adjective has developed chiefly from the idea of an event or period occurring between two others.
Related word forms
How intervening is actually used
As an adjective, “intervening” is chiefly used attributively, especially in phrases such as “an intervening period” or “the intervening years.” As the present participle of “intervene,” it can also mean taking action to alter a situation; “intervening in the dispute” is formal, while “stepping in” is more conversational.