and avoid that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "and avoid that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when advising someone to steer clear of a particular action or situation. Example: "To ensure a smooth process, please follow the guidelines carefully and avoid that common mistake."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

Mr. Comey argued that he had unique credibility to call out the Russians and avoid that criticism.

The New York Times

To help you find some room in the sky -- and avoid that spot in the middle -- here's a guide to avoiding crowded planes to Europe this summer.

The New York Times

Adults with a particular food allergy, as opposed to sensitivity, are usually all too aware of their allergy and avoid that food like the plague.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Sua sponte, or on his own initiative, Judge Cacheris has now given himself the chance to reverse his usurpation of Supreme Court authority and avoid that disaster.

The New York Times

As you suggested, if an endurance athlete works at this high of an intensity for long periods of time or trains very frequently, their protein needs increase to maintain their existing muscle mass and avoid that dreaded wall.

Columbia University

Replacing sugary foods with more protein and foods high in natural fats will keep you fuller for longer so you eat less overall and avoid that energy crash that leaves you craving yet another, sugary pick-me-up.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

In realizing the value of the exercise, she has become committed to further growth and avoiding that emotional plateau.

Forbes

People don't like being preached to when they're reading fiction, and avoiding that is manuscript-specific.

Los Angeles Times

All the instruments feed into a network, which keeps them on the beat and in key, and avoids that multimedia group show cacophony we've all witnessed.

Vice

The cast and crew avoid that area then because of the crowds.

Los Angeles Times

And we both avoid that awkward moment of exchanging gifts and reassurances about said gifts.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "and avoid that" to provide actionable advice after presenting a potential problem or undesirable situation. It gives your writing a practical, solution-oriented approach.

Common error

A common mistake is using "and avoid that" without a clear, recent antecedent for "that". Always ensure the reader knows exactly what is being avoided; otherwise, the sentence becomes confusing and weakens your message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "and avoid that" functions as a coordinating conjunction followed by an imperative verb phrase. It connects a preceding statement with a recommendation to prevent a specific action or outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, this structure is grammatically sound and widely recognized.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

16%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "and avoid that" is a grammatically sound and commonly used construction to provide preventative advice. According to Ludwig AI, it serves to connect a preceding statement with a recommendation to prevent a specific action or outcome, making it a useful tool for offering guidance. The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media contexts, and maintaining clarity by ensuring the reference of "that" is evident is a key best practice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

and steer clear of that

Replaces "avoid" with a more informal, idiomatic expression.

and steer away from that

Similar to steer clear, but can imply a more gradual change in direction.

and prevent that from happening

Adds specificity by explicitly stating the intention to prevent an event.

and circumvent that

Implies a more strategic or clever way of avoiding something.

and sidestep that issue

Focuses on evading a problem or difficulty directly.

and preclude that possibility

Indicates making something impossible or eliminating the chance of it occurring.

and evade that

Focuses on escaping or dodging something, often with a sense of cunning.

and dodge that

Similar to evade, but can imply a more sudden or reactive movement to avoid something.

and bypass that

Suggests going around something, often to save time or effort.

and avert that outcome

Emphasizes preventing a negative consequence or result.

FAQs

How can I use "and avoid that" in a sentence?

Use "and avoid that" to offer a preventative measure after describing a potential issue. For example, "Check all connections carefully, "and avoid that" common cause of failure."

What are some alternatives to "and avoid that"?

You can use alternatives like "and steer clear of that", "and prevent that from happening", or "and circumvent that" to vary your language.

Is it grammatically correct to use "and avoid that"?

Yes, "and avoid that" is grammatically correct when used to connect a clause that provides a recommendation to prevent something previously mentioned.

How can I ensure clarity when using "and avoid that"?

Always make sure "that" has a clear and recent reference in your sentence. Avoid using it if there's any ambiguity about what you're advising the reader to avoid.