avert criticism

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "avert criticism" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing actions taken to prevent or avoid receiving negative feedback or disapproval. Example: "The manager implemented new policies to avert criticism from the staff regarding the recent changes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Perhaps Schenkar, a playwright rather than a scholar, hopes to avert criticism by admitting to such startling research techniques.

The New York Times - Books

Although he has refused to sign off on the legislation, Museveni's homophobic comments could be seen as a way to avert criticism that he is supporting gay people.

The Guardian

The companies now seem more willing to enter into such partnerships, in part to avert criticism of biotechnology and in part because the sequencing of crop genomes is providing too much information for the companies to analyze alone.

The New York Times - Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

To avert more criticism of the military courts, the recently released videotape shows, Mr. Montesinos suggested her case could be transferred to a civilian court where she could receive a lighter, 10- to 15-year sentence.

The New York Times

60 61 62 63 Widespread use of robust and reliable evidence, such as IPD meta-analyses where available, may go a long way to averting such criticisms.

British Medical Journal

They might also want to bear in mind that drawing attention to themselves by aggressive or uncooperative tactics is likely to do little to avert well-founded criticism and may even strengthen the grounds for it".

The Guardian

These decrees were later retracted to avert public and international criticism but have effectively had the same impact.

The New York Times

But even some Republicans sympathetic to Ms. Palin suggested that she needed to find a more substantive and nuanced means of addressing the criticism to avert any risk to her political standing and to maintain control of her political narrative.

The New York Times

Other Israeli officials openly say they are working hard to avert the kind of unfair criticism, as they put it, that Israel got in the spring of 2002, when it pushed into West Bank towns like Jenin, Nablus and Bethlehem.

The New York Times

But the agency chief's pursuit of a radical deregulatory agenda, gutting greenhouse gas rules at a time when the United Nations is calling for unprecedented emissions cuts to avert catastrophic climate change, has drawn fierce criticism.

Huffington Post

An Associated Press reporter said Mr. Obama's criticism of Republicans for not averting the sequester with tax revenues made it sound as if he's taking no responsibility for the effects of the cuts.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "avert criticism", consider the specific audience and tailor your actions or communication to address their likely concerns proactively.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the extent to which actions can "avert criticism". Be realistic about potential negative feedback, as completely eliminating criticism is often impossible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "avert criticism" functions as a purpose connector, indicating the intention behind an action. It highlights that steps are being taken to prevent or avoid negative feedback. Ludwig AI confirms this with examples showing how various entities act to avoid anticipated disapproval.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "avert criticism" is a grammatically correct and usable expression, classified as a purpose connector. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's used to describe actions taken to prevent negative feedback. While uncommon, it appears predominantly in News & Media and Science contexts. Effective usage involves considering the audience's potential concerns and tailoring actions to address them proactively. Related phrases include "avoid censure" and "forestall criticism". Being realistic about the possibility of negative feedback is crucial to prevent overstating outcomes. The phrase carries a neutral to formal register, suitable for professional communication and strategic discussions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

forestall criticism

Emphasizes preventing criticism before it even arises, adding a proactive element.

preclude criticism

Suggests making criticism impossible through preventative measures.

avoid censure

Replaces "criticism" with a more formal term, "censure", implying official disapproval.

circumvent criticism

Suggests finding a way around potential criticism, often through clever maneuvering.

head off criticism

Uses a more colloquial and active tone, suggesting intercepting criticism.

sidestep criticism

Implies skillfully avoiding criticism, often through indirect actions.

evade criticism

Focuses on escaping criticism, suggesting a more reactive approach.

deflect criticism

Focuses on redirecting criticism away from a subject, rather than preventing it entirely.

shield from criticism

Emphasizes protection from criticism, implying a defensive posture.

mitigate criticism

Focuses on lessening the impact of criticism, rather than preventing it entirely.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "avert criticism" in a sentence?

Use "avert criticism" when you want to express taking actions to prevent or avoid negative feedback. For example, "The company implemented new policies to "avert criticism" from environmental groups".

What are some alternatives to saying "avert criticism"?

You can use alternatives like "avoid censure", "forestall criticism", or "head off criticism" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "avert criticism" and "avoid criticism"?

"Avert criticism" often implies taking proactive steps to prevent criticism from arising, while "avoid criticism" can refer to simply steering clear of situations that might lead to criticism. They're similar but not always interchangeable.

In what contexts is it most appropriate to use the phrase "avert criticism"?

The phrase "avert criticism" is suitable in various contexts, including business, politics, and academia, where anticipating and preventing negative feedback is crucial. News and Media often report on such efforts.