avoid contact

USAGE SUMMARY

"avoid contact" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase can be used when you want to tell someone to keep away from something or someone in order to prevent any kind of interaction. For example, "We strongly advise our employees to avoid contact with anyone who has tested positive for Covid-19."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Samoa never wittingly avoid contact.

The Guardian - Sport

They avoid contact with humans.

The Guardian

Nonetheless, wolves usually avoid contact with humans.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"That's when he tries to avoid contact.

The New York Times - Sports

In fact, I mostly avoid contact with everyone.

The New York Times

"Some guys try to avoid contact for longevity.

The New York Times - Sports

They can fool around with the puck and avoid contact.

The New Yorker

"Well, if I'm truly honest, it is to avoid contact".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"In general, raccoons try to avoid contact with people," she said, "and certainly people should avoid contact with them".

The New York Times

The agency warned pregnant women to avoid contact with it.

The New York Times

They are, in fact, programmed to avoid contact.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about health or safety, use "avoid contact" to clearly instruct readers on preventing exposure to harmful substances or infectious diseases. For instance, "To prevent the spread of the virus, avoid contact with infected individuals."

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "avoid contact" with phrases that imply accidental or unintentional avoidance. "Missed connection" or "lost touch" suggest a lack of contact, but not necessarily a deliberate attempt to prevent it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "avoid contact" primarily functions as an imperative or directive, advising or instructing someone to prevent physical or communicative interaction. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in safety instructions and interpersonal advice, aligning with the AI's assessment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

45%

News & Media

37%

Science

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "avoid contact" is a grammatically correct and commonly used directive to prevent interaction, whether physical or communicative. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. The phrase appears frequently in informational and advisory contexts, particularly in news, wiki, and scientific domains. When using this phrase, clarity and precision are essential to ensure effective communication. Consider context when selecting alternatives, and avoid confusion with phrases suggesting unintentional separation. Remember to use this phrase to effectively communicate the need for preventing interactions in order to minimize risk and maintain safety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dodge interaction

Focuses on quick movement to prevent contact.

evade interaction

Emphasizes actively trying to dodge interaction.

refrain from engaging

Stresses abstaining from involvement or discussion.

shun communication

Highlights a deliberate avoidance of communication.

limit interaction with

Highlights restricting the amount of contact.

keep distance from

Focuses on maintaining physical or social separation.

minimize exposure to

Centers on reducing the extent of potential interaction.

withdraw from communication

Suggests stepping back from ongoing communication.

steer clear of

Suggests navigating around someone or something to prevent interaction.

circumvent connection

Implies using strategy to bypass any link.

FAQs

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

You can use "avoid contact" to advise someone to keep away from something or someone. For example, "During flu season, it's important to "avoid contact" with people who are sick."

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

"Avoid contact" implies steering clear of something, while "prevent contact" suggests taking measures to ensure no contact occurs at all. "Prevent contact" has a more proactive connotation.

What can I say instead of "avoid contact"?

You can use alternatives like "keep distance from", "steer clear of", or "evade interaction" depending on the context.

Is it ever incorrect to use "avoid contact"?

While grammatically correct, ""avoid contact"" might be too strong in situations where only minimal interaction is necessary. In such cases, consider using milder phrases like "limit interaction".