To be intrusive

Question

Hi,can somone check this sentence please?"I do not want to be intrusive..."I mean that I would like to ask something but I fear my interlocutor thinks I am asking too much ...ThanksPamela

MalRey · Accepted Answer

I'm not clear exactly what you mean.

By "asking too much" do you mean that you may be asking about something that's too personal? If so then I would say:

"I don't mean to pry but..."

Pamela81 · Answer

Dear Malrey,

thanks. You got what I mean. I have found "to pry" in the dictionary and I think it fits the context. Doesn´t exist any adjective for this?

When do you use "intrusive" or "obtrusive" ?

Thanks

Cheers

Pamela

MalRey · Answer

When do you use "intrusive" or "obtrusive" ?

This dictionary seems to have fairly complete definitions of "intrusive" and "obtrusive": http://www.learnersdictionary.com/

I guess "intrusive" is mainly used in situations where someone who isn't wanted involves themselves in someone's affairs or activities: "Reporters are often rude and intrusive."

"obtrusive" is used mostly in cases where someone or something calls unwanted attention to himself/itself: "Billboards along the highway are very obtrusive." or in cases where someone could cause a disturbance but makes an effort not to: "The nurse cares for her patients without being obtrusive."

Pamela81 · Answer

Hi,

in this dictionary they seem to have the same meaning http://www.wordreference.com/iten/invadente anyway I still need to clarify something.

1.If "intrusive" can be a reporter, can I be intrusive by asking something personal matters?

What do you use when you want to express the concept that you don´t like intrusive persons??

2. How then you define someone who comes to your flat without any invitation ? Can you say intrusive?

Sorry if I insist but I need to clarify

Thanks

Pamela

CalifJim · Answer

Pamela81How then you define someone who comes to your flat without any invitation ? Can you say intrusive?

I would say intrusive. Definitely. presumptuous also describes that case.

CJ

Pamela81 · Answer

Hi CJ,

thank you for the reply!

In italian language "presuntuoso" means someone who thinks to be better than he really is or wants to show himself as the best one, so I don´t think "presumptuous" can be a synonym for "intrusive". What´s your opinion??

About "obtrusive" just today I could use this word, but please check if I used it in the correct context:

"Do you think that the showcase would be obtrusive, located in that place? We can move it if you want"

Awaiting your reply

Thanks!!

Pamela

CalifJim · Answer

Regarding presumptuous, see http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/presumptuous

I think the meaning is similar but a little different in English. It means "taking liberties", in other words, doing things that only someone who knows you better should do, as in your example of someone showing up at your door unannounced - as if he were a dear friend - when he is not a friend at all.

Pamela81"Do you think that the showcase would be obtrusive, located in that place? We can move it if you want"

Good use of obtrusive. You're asking if the showcase would get in the way (people might trip on it or it impedes the flow of movement around it) or look wrong in that place (people might think it's too big or too brightly colored, for example).

CJ

Pamela81 · Answer

Dear CJ,

you are right, I checked the link you have reported. It is a thin difference...

In my dictionary I also found the following synonym for "presumptuous" :"conceited" or "assuming" and "to have a big head"..are they OK??

Thanks!

Pamela

CalifJim · Answer

Pamela81In my dictionary I also found the following synonym for "presumptuous" :"conceited" or "assuming" and "to have a big head"..are they OK??

Yes. I have to say, though, that I don't use presumptuous very much to mean conceited. I use presumptuous more often to describe people who take liberties (as described above).

CJ

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