avert disaster

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "avert disaster" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in the context of someone or something taking steps to avoid an impending and potentially catastrophic event. For example, "The government's swift response helped avert disaster and save thousands of lives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Central bankers have helped avert disaster so far.

The Economist

My efforts to avert disaster were in vain.

The New Yorker

It is now that timely action can avert disaster.

The Guardian

The wise parent will check ahead to avert disaster.

The New York Times - Health

To avert disaster, Gingrich had no choice but to present many numbered lists.

The New York Times - Magazine

If America is to avert disaster it must give Palestinians hope in a peace worth having.

The Economist

To avert disaster, ways need to be found to ensure that the money is spent wisely.

The Economist

Hard decisions had to be made, he added, in order "to avert disaster".

The New York Times

But if the European precedent holds, the final result will at least avert disaster.

The New York Times

Foreign money may plug the public finances for a bit and so avert disaster.

The Economist

The example of the vanishing ozone layer shows that international action can avert disaster.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "avert disaster" when you want to emphasize the successful prevention of a significantly negative outcome, often through decisive action.

Common error

Avoid using "avert disaster" for trivial situations; reserve it for instances where the potential consequences are genuinely severe. A more suitable phrase can be used for less severe consequences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "avert disaster" functions as a verb phrase where 'avert' is a transitive verb requiring a direct object, and 'disaster' is the noun acting as that object. It describes the action of preventing a calamitous event from happening. According to Ludwig, it's grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "avert disaster" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression that describes the act of preventing a catastrophic event. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely employed in formal and neutral registers, particularly within news and media sources. The phrase's primary function is to emphasize proactive measures taken to avoid significantly negative outcomes. While versatile, it's best reserved for genuinely severe situations to maintain its impact, avoiding overuse in trivial contexts. Alternatives such as "prevent catastrophe" or "mitigate risk" may offer nuanced variations depending on the specific situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prevent catastrophe

Focuses specifically on averting a catastrophic event.

stave off collapse

Specifically used when something is on the verge of failing completely.

avoid calamity

Uses a slightly more formal term for a disastrous event.

forestall crisis

Highlights the act of taking preemptive measures to stop a crisis.

mitigate risk

Focuses on reducing the severity of potential harm.

ward off danger

Suggests actively defending against an approaching threat.

head off trouble

An informal way of saying to prevent problems.

circumvent failure

Emphasizes cleverly finding a way around an impending failure.

preclude misfortune

A formal way of saying to make something bad impossible.

nip in the bud

An idiom meaning to stop something at an early stage.

FAQs

How can I use "avert disaster" in a sentence?

You can use "avert disaster" to describe actions taken to prevent a catastrophic event, such as "The quick response of the firefighters helped to "avert disaster"".

What are some alternatives to "avert disaster"?

Some alternatives include "prevent catastrophe", "avoid calamity", or "mitigate risk", depending on the specific context.

Is "avert disaster" suitable for formal writing?

Yes, "avert disaster" is suitable for formal writing, especially in contexts where you want to convey the seriousness of a situation and the importance of preventing it.

What kind of events typically warrant the use of "avert disaster"?

"Avert disaster" is typically used for potentially catastrophic events like natural disasters, financial crises, or major accidents.