attempts to prevent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "attempts to prevent" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing efforts or actions taken to stop something from happening. Example: "The organization makes several attempts to prevent pollution in the local river."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And Carson attempts to prevent a murder.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"Attempts to prevent peaceful demonstrations are condemned," Mr. Bakhit said.

The New York Times

Attempts to prevent type I diabetes have been unsuccessful.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Apart from Angkor, attempts to prevent looting have had little effect.

The Guardian

Terrorism as a political strategy requires nations to overreact in their attempts to prevent future attacks.

The Guardian - Opinion

Whistleblowing (and employers' attempts to prevent it) has had its fair share of the limelight recently.

The Guardian - Money

It also seems to show attempts to prevent filming taking place.

The Guardian

He is scathing about regulatory attempts to prevent monopolies and mergers.

The Guardian

Nor will I tolerate attempts to prevent the employees from making such disclosures.

The New York Times

Its attempts to prevent corrupt practices by its companies overseas appear weak.

The New York Times

The summit comes amid attempts to prevent Greece defaulting on a €1.6bn IMF loan repayment.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "attempts to prevent", ensure the sentence clearly states what is being prevented and the methods used in the attempt. This adds clarity and strength to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "attempts to prevent" without specifying what action or outcome is being prevented. Without a clear object, the phrase becomes weak and lacks impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "attempts to prevent" functions as a purpose clause, often introducing the reason behind certain actions or strategies. It signifies the intention to stop something undesirable from occurring. Ludwig AI examples demonstrate its use in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

40%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "attempts to prevent" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression signifying efforts to stop something from happening. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread usage across various domains, including News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias. While its register is generally neutral, it's crucial to specify the object of prevention to maintain clarity and impact. Alternatives like "efforts to avert" or "measures to block" can offer nuanced variations, but "attempts to prevent" remains a versatile and effective choice for conveying proactive intervention.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

efforts to avert

This alternative emphasizes the active exertion of energy to avoid something undesirable.

measures to block

This focuses on the specific actions taken to obstruct or impede something.

initiatives to halt

This emphasizes proactive measures aimed at stopping something completely.

steps to preclude

This suggests actions taken to make something impossible or unlikely.

endeavors to deter

This highlights the intention to discourage or dissuade something from occurring.

actions to counteract

This suggests responsive measures taken to neutralize or offset something.

strategies to impede

This focuses on planned approaches to slow down or hinder something.

tactics to forestall

This implies using specific methods to anticipate and prevent something.

plans to curb

This emphasizes the intention to restrain or control something.

arrangements to preclude

This suggests formal agreements or preparations to make something impossible.

FAQs

How can I use "attempts to prevent" in a sentence?

You can use "attempts to prevent" to describe actions taken to stop something from happening. For example, "The organization makes several attempts to prevent pollution in the local river."

What are some alternatives to "attempts to prevent"?

You can use alternatives like "efforts to avert", "measures to block", or "steps to preclude" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "attempt to prevent" or "attempts to prevent"?

"Attempt to prevent" is singular, referring to a single effort. "Attempts to prevent" is plural, referring to multiple efforts. Use the form that matches the number of efforts you are describing.

What is the difference between "attempts to prevent" and "measures to control"?

"Attempts to prevent" focuses on stopping something from happening at all. "Measures to control" focuses on managing or limiting something that is already happening. They are similar, but their emphasis is different.