as to avoid

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as to avoid" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate a purpose or intention behind an action, often to prevent something undesirable from happening. Example: "He took the necessary precautions as to avoid any potential accidents during the experiment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Who would be so idiosyncratic as to avoid publicity?

The New York Times

We structured our project this way so as to avoid timing constraints.

Cornell University

We maintained integrity when writing code as to avoid any intellectual property issues.

Cornell University

Buildings were burned and many women took their own lives as to avoid abduction.

Stanford University

But no action was taken so as to avoid "stigmatising the young student".

The Guardian

She filled her ice bucket and went looking for a gauntlet so as to avoid splinters.

The Guardian - Books

Some were given orders not to fight, so as to avoid a massacre.

The New York Times

Obviously, each device must be assigned its own separate address, so as to avoid conflicts.

The Guardian - Tech

(So as to avoid confusion, they bought all the domains from radiooo.com to radioooooooooooooooooooo.com).

The New Yorker

The husband chooses instead to move the building so as to avoid double taxes.

The Guardian - Books

She had been running away, so as to avoid confinement for encroaching senility.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as to avoid" to clearly state the purpose behind an action, especially when preventing a negative outcome is the main goal. For example: "The data was anonymized as to avoid any privacy breaches."

Common error

While grammatically correct, "as to avoid" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "to prevent" or "so that... doesn't happen" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as to avoid" functions as an adverbial phrase of purpose. It modifies a verb, explaining the reason or intention behind an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase indicates the aim of preventing something undesirable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as to avoid" is a grammatically sound and frequently used construction employed to express purpose, specifically the prevention of an unwanted outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is generally correct. While versatile across various domains like News, Science and Academia, it leans towards a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with your desired level of formality, and consider simpler alternatives in casual contexts. Always aim for clarity in stating the intention behind the avoidance. Examples from Ludwig show a variety of contexts where it can be employed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

so as to prevent

Replaces "avoid" with "prevent" for a more direct expression of intent.

in order to evade

Focuses on escaping or eluding something, adding a sense of strategic maneuvering.

with the aim of averting

Emphasizes the goal of warding off something undesirable.

for the purpose of precluding

Highlights the intent to make something impossible or exclude it.

to circumvent the risk of

Specifies the action of bypassing a potential danger.

lest it should happen

A more formal and cautious way to express preventing an event.

to steer clear of

Offers a more colloquial way to talk about avoiding something.

with a view to forestalling

Suggests acting in advance to prevent an event.

for fear of

Highlights the emotion driving the avoidance.

in an effort to mitigate

Indicates an attempt to lessen the severity of something.

FAQs

How can I use "as to avoid" in a sentence?

Use "as to avoid" to indicate the purpose of an action, specifically aiming to prevent something undesirable. For example: "The system was designed as to avoid data loss."

What are some alternatives to "as to avoid"?

You can use alternatives like "in order to prevent", "so that", or "to prevent" depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "as to avoid" or "to avoid"?

"As to avoid" is generally considered more formal than the simpler "to avoid". The choice depends on the context and desired tone.

When should I use "as to avoid" instead of "in order to avoid"?

"As to avoid" and "in order to avoid" are largely interchangeable, though "as to avoid" might be perceived as slightly more concise and formal. The best choice depends on the flow and rhythm of your sentence.