avoid being near

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "avoid being near" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when advising someone to keep their distance from a person, place, or situation for safety or comfort reasons. Example: "To ensure your safety during the storm, it is best to avoid being near the coastline."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Just 21% of people in the UK took any steps to avoid being near someone with flu-like symptoms.

The Guardian

Hale had no wish to receive the knighthood that accompanied this appointment and so tried to avoid being near the King; in response, the Lord Chancellor Lord Clarendon invited him to his house, where the King was present.

Wikipedia

In conclusion, in our assays we intentionally use a ten-fold excess of Ecp6 protein in order to avoid being near the threshold of responsiveness.

eLife

Skip the whole school day, avoid being near your house or near a location where your parents or a teacher may be during school hours.

WikiHow

Avoid being near high objects that will attract the lightning.

WikiHow

Avoid being near people with contagious illnesses while you are taking Advair.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

For some of us, this knowledge-seeking impulse revolves around survival -- how to grow food, create shelter, and avoid being eaten by the nearest predator.

HuffPost

When in this situation, children should cross their arms to avoid being grabbed, run away to the nearest safe adult to seek help and call 911, Ryburn said.

Los Angeles Times

In the same year she again lost consciousness after having to ascend to avoid being trapped in a hailstorm near Vincennes.

Wikipedia

Be careful when working near the grill to avoid being burned.

WikiHow

Personnel should avoid being wounded and, above all, should avoid being wounded near DU dust or DU shrapnel.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When advising someone to avoid being near a potential threat, clearly state the reason for the avoidance to ensure they understand the severity and importance of the advice.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the potential consequences of not avoiding an area or person. Stick to factual and realistic outcomes to maintain credibility and avoid causing unnecessary alarm.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "avoid being near" functions as a verb phrase, typically serving as an infinitive phrase acting as an object of a verb. It advises or instructs someone to maintain a distance from a person, place, or thing. Ludwig AI validates this is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Wiki

31%

News & Media

27%

Science

22%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "avoid being near" is a grammatically correct and usable verb phrase that serves to advise or warn someone to maintain distance from a person, place, or thing. While considered rare in frequency, its usage spans across various contexts, including wiki, news and media, and scientific domains. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, suggesting it is a clear and direct way to caution against proximity. For more formal situations, alternatives like "evade proximity to" might be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stay away from

Focuses on maintaining a distance from something or someone.

keep away from

Similar to 'stay away from', but can also imply a warning.

steer clear of

Suggests a conscious effort to avoid encountering something.

evade proximity to

A more formal way of saying 'avoid being near'.

shun closeness with

Implies a deliberate act of avoiding intimacy or contact.

circumvent nearness to

Suggests finding a way around being close to something.

eschew vicinity of

A formal term for avoiding the area around something.

dodge being close to

Implies quickly moving away to avoid proximity.

avert being adjacent to

Emphasizes preventing a situation where two things are next to each other.

ward off nearness to

Implies protecting oneself by keeping a distance.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "avoid being near" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "evade proximity to" or "eschew vicinity of", depending on the specific context.

What are some common situations where you might need to advise someone to "avoid being near" something?

This phrase is often used when warning about potential dangers such as construction sites, areas with hazardous materials, or individuals with contagious illnesses. It's also applicable in less dangerous, but still undesirable situations, like "avoid being near" loud noises when trying to concentrate.

Is it better to say "avoid being near" or "avoid proximity to"?

"Avoid being near" is more conversational and easily understood. "Avoid proximity to" is more formal and might be appropriate in technical or legal contexts.

What's the difference between "avoid being near" and "stay away from"?

While both phrases convey a similar meaning, ""avoid being near"" focuses on preventing closeness, while "stay away from" emphasizes maintaining a distance once a certain point has been reached. The choice depends on whether you're preventing initial contact or maintaining existing separation.