avoid being

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "avoid being" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that someone should prevent themselves from becoming something or being in a certain situation. Example sentence: I would advise you to avoid being late to class.

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sidebar: Avoid Being Scammed.

Forbes

Avoid being 'me too'.

Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Avoid being too affectionate.

WikiHow

Avoid being obnoxious.

WikiHow

Avoid being difficult.

WikiHow

Avoid being cliche.

WikiHow

Avoid being a pushover.

WikiHow

Avoid being too motherly.

WikiHow

Avoid being afraid.

WikiHow

Avoid being loud.

WikiHow

Avoid being too specific.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When giving advice, use "avoid being" to clearly state what actions or characteristics should be prevented in order to achieve a positive outcome. For instance, "To succeed in negotiations, avoid being aggressive."

Common error

While "avoid being" is widely understood, it can sound too informal in academic or professional writing. In such contexts, consider using more sophisticated alternatives like "refrain from" or "prevent oneself from" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "avoid being" functions as an imperative construction, typically used to give advice or recommendations. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, indicating that it is suitable for instructing someone to prevent a certain state or characteristic.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

86%

News & Media

2%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "avoid being" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase for giving advice or recommendations, as validated by Ludwig. While primarily found in informal contexts like WikiHow, it also appears in news and media sources. When writing, be mindful of your audience and consider more formal alternatives for academic or professional settings. Ludwig AI's analysis suggests that "avoid being" is a practical and easily understood way to guide others away from undesirable states or actions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prevent oneself from being

Highlights the action of self-prevention from a particular state.

keep from being

A simpler, more direct way to express avoidance.

refrain from being

A more formal way to express avoidance, suitable for academic or professional contexts.

steer clear of being

Implies actively moving away from a potential situation or state.

circumvent being

Suggests finding a way around or avoiding a situation strategically.

evade being

Similar to 'escape', but implies a more deliberate effort to avoid.

escape being

Conveys the sense of narrowly avoiding a negative outcome or state.

dodge being

Suggests avoiding something quickly and cleverly.

shun being

Indicates a deliberate and strong avoidance, often of something undesirable.

desist from being

A formal and somewhat archaic way of saying to stop oneself from being something.

FAQs

How do I use "avoid being" in a sentence?

Use "avoid being" to give advice or express the importance of preventing a specific state or characteristic. For example, "To maintain a healthy relationship, "avoid being" too demanding."

What can I say instead of "avoid being"?

You can use alternatives like "refrain from being", "prevent oneself from being", or "keep from being" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it better to say "avoid being" or "avoid to be"?

"Avoid being" is the correct form. The verb "avoid" is typically followed by a gerund (a verb ending in -ing) rather than an infinitive (to + verb).

What's the difference between "avoiding being" and "avoid being"?

"Avoiding being" (gerund phrase) emphasizes the action of avoidance, while "avoid being" (imperative) is a direct instruction. The choice depends on whether you want to focus on the act of avoiding something or give a general recommendation.