avoid as long as possible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "avoid as long as possible" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the desire to prevent or delay something for an extended period of time. Example: "I will try to avoid making a decision on this matter as long as possible to gather more information."

✓ Grammatically correct

Vice

Strategies in Trauma and Limb Reconstruction

BMC Cancer

The New York Times

The New Yorker

TechCrunch

HuffPost

BMC Health Services Research

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Huffington Post

Annals of Oncology

Plosone

WikiHow

Forbes

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Roaming out into the night to avoid as long as possible the confrontation with the unknown person within his familiar person, she rode a streetcar that went toward the ocean and, at the end of the line, remained in her seat while the motorman drank coffee from a thermos and read a newspaper.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Thus, the procedure comes at the expense of forearm rotation, and it should be avoided as long as possible.

Strategies in Trauma and Limb Reconstruction

Intracerebral recurrence is an important cause of neuro-cognitive decline and should, therefore, be avoided as long as possible.

BMC Cancer

With the exception of a few chief executives, like Albert J. Dunlap, the former Sunbeam chief who viewed rampant job-cutting as a badge of honor, most will avoid layoffs as long as possible.

The New York Times

Álvarez is one of the most popular fighters in the world, and Lara is precisely the kind of opponent whom big names typically avoid for as long as possible: a skillful and slippery boxer with few fans of his own.

The New Yorker

Although I felt I was able to maintain my professional integrity, the natural inclination of the target company is to avoid you as long as possible and get away from you as quickly as possible.

TechCrunch

As we discover that we find it boring or uncomfortable, we avoid it as long as possible.

HuffPost

The fear of enacted stigma after being labelled by association is prominent among our informants, and their decision to avoid testing as long as possible can therefore be seen as a form of label-avoidance.

BMC Health Services Research

Wheat, egg, peanut, shellfish (does anyone actually feed their child lobster?) were all on the scary list of foods that can cause allergic reactions and should be avoided for as long as possible.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

No wonder it tends to be avoided for as long as possible even though it is likely to have greater expected net benefits over time.

Huffington Post

Use of these fluids provided a long-term source of calibrator material so that the inevitable difficulties encountered with sourcing and validating new materials could be avoided for as long as possible and the reproducibility of the assay result over months or even years could be assured.

Annals of Oncology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "avoid as long as possible", consider the context. It often implies a negative consequence or undesirable situation that one seeks to delay. Ensure clarity by specifying what is being avoided and why delaying it is beneficial or necessary.

Common error

While useful, avoid relying on "avoid as long as possible" too frequently. Vary your language with synonyms like "delay as much as you can" or "postpone indefinitely" to maintain reader engagement and prevent your writing from sounding repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "avoid as long as possible" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate the duration for which an action of avoidance is maintained. It expresses the extent to which someone is attempting to prevent something from happening.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "avoid as long as possible" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression signifying an intent to delay or prevent something, as validated by Ludwig AI. It functions as an adverbial phrase, commonly found in news and media contexts, though adaptable across neutral and professional registers.

When using this phrase, clarity is crucial; specify what is being avoided and the rationale behind the delay. While a versatile phrase, avoid overuse by incorporating synonyms like "delay as much as you can" for variety. As always, consider the situation to evaluate if the avoidance approach is justified or if it will cause even worse consequences in the long run.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

delay as much as you can

Emphasizes prolonging the time before something happens.

postpone indefinitely

Suggests an attempt to delay something without a specific end date.

put off for the foreseeable future

Highlights delaying until a point that can be reasonably predicted.

evade for an extended period

Focuses on escaping or dodging something over a long time.

hold off until the last minute

Implies delaying action as late as practically possible.

defer action for an appreciable time

Stresses formally delaying a specific action.

resist for a considerable duration

Highlights the act of fighting against something over time.

shun for an extended duration

Underscores deliberately avoiding something for a long time.

forestall until absolutely necessary

Emphasizes preventing something until it becomes unavoidable.

withstand for a prolonged interval

Highlights enduring or resisting something over a long period.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "avoid as long as possible" to sound more formal?

In a formal context, consider using phrases like "defer action for an appreciable time" or "postpone indefinitely". These options provide a more sophisticated and professional tone.

What does it mean to "avoid something as long as possible"?

To "avoid something as long as possible" means to delay or prevent something from happening for an extended period. It implies a desire to postpone facing an undesirable situation or consequence.

Are there situations where it's better not to "avoid as long as possible"?

Yes, sometimes addressing issues promptly is more beneficial than delaying them. Avoiding a problem might lead to more severe consequences later. Consider whether "procrastination" is justified or if immediate action is necessary.

What are some common things people try to "avoid as long as possible"?

Common examples include going to the dentist, paying taxes, having difficult conversations, or making significant life decisions. These are often actions people delay due to discomfort, fear, or uncertainty.