I avoid doing that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I avoid doing that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a preference or habit of not engaging in a particular action or behavior. Example: "Whenever I have the chance, I avoid doing that because it usually leads to negative outcomes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

I never wanted to say goodbye to them, but the only way I could avoid doing that was to stop visiting.

The New Yorker

What do I need to avoid doing that would really bother you?

Harvard Business Review

If a certain movement or position causes increased symptoms and pain, isolate the injured area and avoid doing that movement.

WikiHow

He avoided doing that once but he could not avoid giving the impression that this was on his mind as he ran up to bowl.

The Guardian - Sport

She must wish that David Cameron had avoided doing that message such harm.

BBC

Jason: I avoid doing things that would lead me upon reflection to blow my brains out.

Huffington Post

I did not retro-diagnose Cavendish or Dirac, and I tried to avoid doing that because I think it's a mistake that contemporary writers on autism make.

Forbes

"I know how easily bored I am listening to other people's lectures, and I try to avoid doing that which bores me when I listen to other people". Altschuler advised looking at syllabi from other classes and having colleagues observe classes regularly rather than just when promotion and tenure are involved.

Cornell University

I try to avoid doing that as much as I can, but it does happen".

The Guardian - Sport

With the nude, I managed to avoid doing that, and preserved a kind of mystery.

The New York Times - Arts

Mr McBride told Newsnight he "would not leak classified comments and I would take pains to avoid doing that... I'd be happy to talk to police if they wanted an explanation of this".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I avoid doing that" when you want to express a deliberate choice to not engage in a specific action, often due to potential negative consequences or personal preference. Ensure the context clearly indicates what "that" refers to.

Common error

Avoid using "I avoid doing that" without clearly establishing what "that" refers to. Ambiguity can confuse the reader. Always ensure the antecedent is evident.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I avoid doing that" primarily functions as a declarative statement expressing a personal preference or habitual behavior of not engaging in a specific action. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is acceptable for expressing a conscious choice to abstain.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I avoid doing that" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase for expressing a deliberate choice to abstain from a particular action. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable in written English to express a preference or habit of not engaging in a specific action or behavior.

Based on the analysis, the phrase is versatile and appears across diverse contexts such as News & Media, Wiki, and Formal & Business settings. When using this phrase, ensure that the context makes clear what "that" refers to, avoiding vagueness.

Alternatives include "I refrain from doing that" or "I steer clear of doing that". Remember to choose alternatives that best fit the nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I refrain from doing that

Emphasizes a deliberate choice to abstain.

I make it a point not to do that

Highlights the importance placed on avoiding the action.

I steer clear of doing that

Suggests keeping a safe distance from the action.

I try not to do that

Indicates an effort to prevent the action, though not always successful.

I make an effort to avoid that

Highlights a conscious attempt to prevent the action from occurring.

I am careful to avoid doing that

Shows caution and attentiveness to prevent the action.

I shun doing that

Suggests a strong aversion to the action.

I sidestep doing that

Emphasizes skillfully avoiding the action.

I dodge doing that

Implies a quick or evasive maneuver to avoid the action.

I bypass doing that

Focuses on going around or ignoring the need to perform the action.

FAQs

What does "I avoid doing that" mean?

It means you intentionally do not perform a particular action or engage in a specific behavior, often because you find it undesirable or foresee negative outcomes.

What can I say instead of "I avoid doing that"?

You can use alternatives like "I refrain from doing that", "I steer clear of doing that", or "I try not to do that" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "I avoid doing that" in writing?

It's appropriate when you want to clearly state your intention to not perform a certain action, usually due to a conscious decision based on experience or anticipated consequences.

How can I make my use of "I avoid doing that" more specific?

Ensure the context makes it abundantly clear what "that" refers to. Instead of saying "I avoid doing that", specify the action you're avoiding. For example, instead of "I avoid doing that when stressed", say "I avoid eating junk food when stressed".