Steer clear of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Steer clear of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to advise someone to avoid a particular person, place, or situation that may be harmful or undesirable. Example: "When it comes to investing, you should steer clear of high-risk stocks if you're not prepared for potential losses."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Steer clear of "congratulatory scorecards".

The New York Times

Steer clear of questionable sites.

The New York Times - Tech

Steer clear of that internet.

The Guardian

Steer clear of both.

Forbes

Steer clear of jargon.

Science Magazine

Steer clear of role overload.

Forbes

Steer clear of Palooka-ville.

TechCrunch

Steer clear of storms.

Huffington Post

Steer clear of oversharing.

Huffington Post

Steer Clear of Silicon Valley.

Huffington Post

Steer clear of Wal-Mart's online store.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Steer clear of" when you want to advise someone to avoid a potentially negative or harmful situation, place, or person.

Common error

While widely understood, "Steer clear of" is somewhat informal. In highly formal writing, consider using more professional alternatives like "avoid" or "evade".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Steer clear of" functions as a phrasal verb. It acts as a directive, advising someone to avoid a specific person, place, situation, or thing. This is evident in many examples provided by Ludwig, such as "Steer clear of questionable sites."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

43%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "Steer clear of" is a common and generally acceptable phrasal verb that advises avoidance of something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage, primarily in News & Media and Wiki contexts. While versatile, remember that more formal options like "avoid" might be preferable in professional or academic writing. Use it when you want to strongly suggest keeping away from potential harm or negativity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Avoid

A more direct and general term for keeping away from something.

Stay away from

Emphasizes physical distance or separation.

Keep away from

Similar to "stay away from", but can also imply protecting something.

Evade

Implies skillfully escaping or dodging something.

Shun

Suggests deliberately avoiding someone or something, often due to disapproval.

Bypass

Indicates finding a way around something.

Circumvent

Similar to bypass, but often implies cleverness or ingenuity.

Give a wide berth to

Means to keep a safe distance from something, often something dangerous.

Have nothing to do with

A more emphatic way of expressing avoidance or disassociation.

Keep at arm's length

Implies maintaining a safe distance, either physically or emotionally.

FAQs

How can I use "Steer clear of" in a sentence?

You can use "Steer clear of" to advise someone to avoid something potentially harmful or undesirable. For example, "If you're new to investing, "steer clear of" high-risk stocks".

What is a synonym for "Steer clear of"?

Synonyms for "Steer clear of" include "avoid", "stay away from", or "keep away from", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "Steer clear from" instead of "Steer clear of"?

No, the correct phrase is "Steer clear of". The preposition "of" is essential to the meaning and grammatical structure of the phrase.

When is it appropriate to use "Steer clear of" in writing?

Use "Steer clear of" in situations where you want to strongly advise someone to avoid something. It's suitable for general advice, warnings, and cautionary statements. While generally acceptable, consider using more formal alternatives in professional or academic contexts.