a pre-emptive measure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a pre-emptive measure" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an action taken to prevent a potential problem or situation before it occurs. Example: "The government implemented a pre-emptive measure to address the rising threat of cyber attacks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

"The companies know that, and as a pre-emptive measure, they have to get costs down as fast as possible".

The New York Times

The new French counterterrorism motto, he said, is "Every time we discover a cell, we eliminate it as a pre-emptive measure".

The New York Times

The statement appeared to be a pre-emptive measure at a time when "The X Factor" is being assailed for misrepresenting the abilities of its contenders.

The New York Times

— As thousands of athletes headed to the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro worry, to varying degrees, about the Zika virus, at least one American has taken a pre-emptive measure: freezing his sperm.

The New York Times - Sports

In Spokane, Wash., the Police Department was so concerned about indiscriminate rants against Muslims on talk radio that, as a pre-emptive measure, it issued a statement denouncing such sentiments as "hateful and potentially injurious to innocent Spokane-area residents".

The New York Times

The move was a pre-emptive measure to protect more than 150,000 square nautical miles north of the Bering Strait that have become more accessible as a result of the warming Arctic climate.

The New York Times - Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

"Maybe it's a pre-emptive step," Mr. Douglas said.

The New York Times

Analysts told VICE News the tests could be intended to send a message that North Korea will respond to any pre-emptive measures which seek to hamper its development of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).

Vice

Good for literary morale; a helpful pre-emptive measure against slowly mounting pre-publication anxiety.

The Guardian

The #mutedcelebration is a kind of pre-emptive measure taken to rid a player of any responsibility for what they've just done.

Vice

"Cambodia was included as a sort of pre-emptive measure," said Roy Schmadeka, of Impact International Solutions, the communications firm hired to initiate the project.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a pre-emptive measure", clearly state what potential problem you are trying to prevent. This provides context and strengthens the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "a pre-emptive measure" in passive constructions, as it can obscure who is taking the action. Instead of "A pre-emptive measure was taken", write "The organization implemented a pre-emptive measure".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a pre-emptive measure" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or the subject complement. It describes a specific action or strategy undertaken to prevent something negative from occurring, as showcased by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a pre-emptive measure" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe actions taken to prevent potential problems before they occur. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While not extremely common, it appears frequently in news and media, as well as scientific and formal business contexts. For clearer and more impactful writing, use this phrase when emphasizing proactive prevention and remember to clearly state what the measure aims to prevent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Preventive measure

A slightly more formal and direct synonym.

Precautionary measure

Similar in meaning, but slightly more formal.

Preventative step

Focuses on prevention rather than mitigation after an event.

Proactive action

Emphasizes taking initiative to control future events.

Protective step

Underscores the protective aspect of the action.

Anticipatory move

Highlights the anticipation of a potential problem.

Forestalling action

Suggests preventing something from happening by acting in advance.

Early intervention

Specifically implies intervening at an early stage to avert issues.

Advance safeguard

Implies safeguarding or protecting in advance.

Safety precaution

Focuses on ensuring safety by taking action beforehand.

FAQs

How can I use "a pre-emptive measure" in a sentence?

Use "a pre-emptive measure" to describe an action taken to prevent a possible negative event. For example, "The company took "a pre-emptive measure" to secure its systems against cyberattacks."

What phrases are similar to "a pre-emptive measure"?

Alternatives include "preventive measure", "proactive action", or "anticipatory move", depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "a pre-emptive measure" and "a precautionary measure"?

While similar, "a pre-emptive measure" often implies a more direct response to an anticipated threat, whereas "a precautionary measure" suggests a more general preparation for possible risks.

What is the best context to use "a pre-emptive measure"?

The phrase is suitable in contexts where actions are taken to avoid potential negative outcomes in business, security, health, and policy discussions. For example, "The government initiated "a pre-emptive measure" to control the spread of the disease".