avoid

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "avoid" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as either a verb or a noun to describe the act of steering clear of something or someone, or a situation which you don't want to be part of. For example: "I'm trying to avoid getting caught in the rain."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Business

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Tickets are valid on all other routes into London and Southern passengers are advised to avoid travelling through Clapham Junction, which is very busy.

The Guardian

That lot will do anything to avoid working until retirement".

The Guardian

Wikipedia says that "sock-puppetry" – creating a fake online identity "for an improper purpose, such as to mislead other editors, disrupt discussions, distort consensus or avoid sanctions" – is not permitted.

The Guardian

"It is in our vital national interest that we avoid the fatal mistake that would be a no vote if a referendum is held in the next few years".

The Guardian

Here's the thing: in order for fees to work, there needs be something worth paying to avoid.

The Economist

We went 60 miles west of Scilly and 60 miles west of Finistere to avoid submarines".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Related: Le Pen family feud is a battle for the soul of the Front National – and France In an interview with the centre-right Le Figaro newspaper on Monday, Le Pen, who had threatened to leave the political ring "only at the end of the bout, whether victor or vanquished", seemed almost conciliatory as he said he would withdraw his candidature to avoid further damage to the party.

The Guardian

There's no reason for children to avoid caffeine drinks unless they become overactive after having them, which obviously isn't the case with your son.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We are continuing our campaign, and continue to lobby for intervention from Ed Vaizey and Jeremy Hunt (who are responsible for superintending library services nationwide) to avoid yet more needless waste of public money and irreparable damage to our library service.

The Guardian - Books

The newsagents had taken the precautionary measure of closing for business during the day to avoid damage being caused to the shop.

The Guardian - Opinion

I believe that she kept herself away simply because she wants to avoid the issue of West Papua being asked about".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "avoid", ensure the object of the verb is clearly defined. Ambiguity can arise if the reader isn't sure what is being avoided.

Common error

Remember that "avoid" typically requires a gerund (verb + -ing) as its object. For instance, it's correct to say "avoid doing that" not "avoid to do that".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "avoid" is as a transitive verb. It requires a direct object, indicating what is being kept away from or prevented. Ludwig examples show it used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Lifestyle

20%

Business

15%

Less common in

Sport

10%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "avoid" is a versatile transitive verb used to describe the act of keeping away from something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability. It is frequently found in news and lifestyle content, expressing a desire to prevent negative outcomes or experiences. Alternatives like "steer clear of" or "evade" offer nuanced ways to express similar ideas. Remember to use "avoid" with a gerund and ensure clarity in defining what is being avoided. This analysis provides a comprehensive understanding of how to effectively use "avoid" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

steer clear of

Emphasizes deliberately keeping a distance from something, often a negative situation or person.

evade

Suggests skillfully escaping or dodging something, implying a degree of cunning or strategy.

dodge

Implies a quick, evasive movement to escape something, often a physical threat or unwanted attention.

shun

Conveys a deliberate and often social act of avoidance, sometimes implying disapproval or rejection.

escape

Focuses on getting away from a dangerous or unpleasant situation, emphasizing the act of breaking free.

bypass

Suggests going around something, often an obstacle or a rule, to reach a desired outcome.

circumvent

Implies finding a way around a problem or restriction, often through clever or indirect means.

sidestep

Conveys a move to evade an issue or question without directly addressing it, often in a political or diplomatic context.

avert

Focuses on preventing something from happening, often a disaster or negative outcome, through proactive measures.

ward off

Suggests actively defending against something, often a threat or an illness, by taking preventative steps.

FAQs

How can I use "avoid" in a sentence?

You can use "avoid" to indicate keeping away from something, such as "I try to "avoid the crowds"" or "She wanted to "avoid making mistakes"".

What can I say instead of "avoid"?

Alternatives to "avoid" include "steer clear of", "evade", "dodge", or "shun", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct: "avoid to do" or "avoid doing"?

"Avoid" is typically followed by a gerund, so "avoid doing" is the correct form. For example, "I try to avoid doing unnecessary work".

What's the difference between "avoid" and "prevent"?

"Avoid" implies keeping away from something that already exists or is likely to happen, while "prevent" means stopping something from occurring in the first place. For instance, you might "avoid" a traffic jam, but "prevent" an accident.