avoid a recurrence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "avoid a recurrence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing strategies or measures to prevent something from happening again, particularly in contexts like problem-solving or risk management. Example: "To ensure the project's success, we must identify the root cause of the issue and implement changes to avoid a recurrence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

I'd like to avoid a recurrence.

Harvard University

8. Aspirin therapy can help stroke survivors avoid a recurrence.

University of California, Berkeley

If the condition is found to be heritable, prenatal testing is possible to enable a family to avoid a recurrence.

The New York Times - Health

The more uncertain question is whether Athens can put its house in order and avoid a recurrence of this crisis.

The Guardian - Opinion

If the violence ends, security officials from both sides should discuss ways to avoid a recurrence of fighting.

The New York Times

The site was chosen to be far enough inland to avoid a recurrence of disastrous flooding.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

You'll have a better chance of avoiding a recurrence.

Harvard Business Review

Derek Jeter, who missed six games with a left quadriceps injury, has avoided a recurrence.

The New York Times - Sports

Vargyas said officials had taken the discovery "enormously seriously" and are dedicated to avoiding a recurrence.

The Washington Post

A potential method for avoiding a recurrence of this nightmare is to use advanced software to spot otherwise invisible biomarkers.

MIT Technology Review

The doctors reckoned Sarkisyan had an 85% chance of avoiding a recurrence of cancer because of the successful bone marrow transplant.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing preventative measures in reports or manuals, use "avoid a recurrence" to clearly state the intention to prevent future incidents or problems. For example: "To "avoid a recurrence" of data breaches, implement multi-factor authentication."

Common error

While grammatically correct, "avoid a recurrence" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler phrases like "prevent it from happening again" or "make sure it doesn't repeat" in informal settings to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "avoid a recurrence" functions as an infinitive phrase expressing purpose or intention. As shown in Ludwig, it's used to indicate the goal of preventing something undesirable from happening again. The phrase provides a clear and concise way to articulate the desire to stop repetition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Academia

26%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "avoid a recurrence" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for indicating the prevention of a repeated event. According to Ludwig AI, it’s usable in written English when discussing strategies or measures to prevent something from happening again, particularly in contexts like problem-solving or risk management. While grammatically correct, the expression may sound somewhat formal for a casual conversation; so choosing simpler alternatives could be beneficial. As showcased by the Ludwig examples, this phrase finds application across diverse domains, from medical treatments to technical issues, and is prevalent in news and media sources, scientific publications, and academic writings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prevent a repeat

Focuses on stopping an exact duplication of a previous event.

forestall a return

Emphasizes taking action in advance to hinder a comeback.

preclude a reoccurrence

Suggests making something impossible to happen again, often through strict measures.

deter a relapse

Specifically aims at discouraging a return to a previous negative state, like an illness or bad habit.

avert a reiteration

Highlights the act of turning away or preventing a repeated statement or action.

guard against a resurgence

Implies protecting against a renewed increase or revival of something negative.

block a comeback

Informal and direct, suggesting the obstruction of a return to a former position or state.

eliminate the possibility of recurrence

Emphasizes complete removal of any chance of the event happening again.

nip a repetition in the bud

Idiomatic expression meaning to stop something at its earliest stage to prevent further development.

put measures in place to avoid repetition

Focuses on the practical actions taken to ensure something does not happen again.

FAQs

How can I use "avoid a recurrence" in a sentence?

Use "avoid a recurrence" when you want to express the need to prevent something from happening again. For example, "The company implemented new security protocols to "avoid a recurrence" of the previous data breach."

What phrases are similar to "avoid a recurrence"?

Similar phrases include "prevent a repeat", "deter a relapse", and "guard against a resurgence", each carrying a slightly different nuance.

Is it better to say "prevent a recurrence" or "avoid a recurrence"?

Both "avoid a recurrence" and "prevent a recurrence" are grammatically correct and largely interchangeable. "Prevent" is slightly more direct, while "avoid" may imply a strategy to steer clear of something.

What steps can be taken to "avoid a recurrence" of errors?

To "avoid a recurrence" of errors, you can implement stricter quality control measures, provide additional training, and enhance communication within the team.