Try avoiding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Try avoiding" is a commonly used and correct phrase in written English.
You can use it when trying to suggest a course of action. For example: "As you're looking for healthier food options, try avoiding processed snacks."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Try avoiding the temptation of smoking.

WikiHow

Try avoiding smoking for 1 hour before returning home.

WikiHow

Again, avoid assigning value judgements (good, or bad, etc).. Try avoiding distractions, such as TV or reading, while you eat.

WikiHow

Try avoiding using words that you use in conversation with your friends.

WikiHow

Try avoiding boredom tomorrow.

BMC Public Health

Try avoiding long term lies.

WikiHow

Try avoiding them as much as possible!

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Try avoid painting on your lips.

WikiHow

By Hilton Als By avoiding showbiz razzle-dazzle, Sutton Foster makes musicals credible.

The New Yorker

CAN Toyota avoid another safety-related meltdown?

The Economist

Barclays avoided liability for most of it.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When offering advice, use "Try avoiding" to gently suggest an alternative course of action, especially when the action is undesirable or potentially harmful.

Common error

While acceptable, "Try avoiding" can sound informal in academic or professional writing. Opt for stronger, more direct language like "It is recommended to avoid" or "Refrain from" for a more authoritative tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Try avoiding" functions as a suggestion or recommendation, offering a gentle way to advise someone to abstain from or prevent something. As the Ludwig AI's analysis shows, it's a commonly used phrase for guiding behavior.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Wiki

56%

News & Media

28%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "Try avoiding" is a common and grammatically correct way to offer a suggestion or recommendation, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's particularly useful when advising someone to abstain from something undesirable, acknowledging that complete avoidance may be challenging. While versatile, it's best suited for informal to neutral contexts, with formal writing potentially benefiting from more direct alternatives. Examples found through Ludwig highlight its usage across diverse topics, from health to interpersonal relationships, making it a generally applicable and helpful phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Try to keep away from

Simple way to say to maintain distance from something.

Attempt to prevent

Focuses on the effort to stop something from happening.

Make an effort to evade

Emphasizes the exertion required to avoid a situation or thing.

Take steps to preclude

Emphasizes taking proactive measures to prevent something.

Seek to circumvent

Highlights finding a way around something, often a rule or obstacle.

Strive to bypass

Indicates a determined effort to go around an obstacle or issue.

Aim to abstain from

Stresses the intention to refrain from doing something.

Endeavor to steer clear of

Suggests a deliberate and careful effort to avoid.

Do your best to reject

Focuses on actively refusing or declining something.

Make a point of shunning

Emphasizes actively avoiding something or someone.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "Try avoiding" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using alternatives such as "It is recommended to avoid", "Refrain from", or "It would be best to preclude". These options offer a more authoritative and less casual suggestion.

What's a less direct way to say "Try avoiding"?

If you want to soften your suggestion, you could say "Consider avoiding", "It might be best to steer clear of", or "Perhaps it's wise to shun". These phrases are less forceful and more suggestive.

Is it always correct to use "Try avoiding"?

While "Try avoiding" is generally acceptable, be mindful of your audience and context. In very formal or professional settings, a more direct and less conversational phrase may be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "Try avoiding" and "Avoid"?

"Avoid" is a direct command or strong recommendation, while "Try avoiding" is a gentler suggestion that implies effort. Use "Try avoiding" when you understand that completely avoiding something might be difficult.