avoid doing

USAGE SUMMARY

"avoid doing" is a correct and usable form of written English.
You can use it when suggesting an action that someone should not take. For example: "We recommend you avoid doing anything that may put your personal information at risk."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You can avoid doing either.

The New York Times - Tech

"We avoid doing a 'greatest hits' booth".

The New York Times - Arts

Try to avoid doing this if possible.

The New York Times

And I can't avoid doing the interview.

The New York Times - Magazine

(I avoid doing any metrics analysis myself and happily delegate).

The New York Times

He knows some rabbis who avoid doing so.

The Economist

GOOD neighbours avoid doing laundry in the small hours.

The Economist

So avoid doing it if you have a shoulder injury.

The New York Times

Are the bedspreads reversible to avoid doing laundry?

The New York Times

Help me avoid doing that.

Science Magazine

The agency must avoid doing so at all costs.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To maintain a consistent tone, align the formality of "avoid doing" with the overall style of your writing. It works well in both neutral and informal contexts.

Common error

While grammatically correct, overuse of "avoid doing" can sound repetitive. In formal writing, consider stronger verbs like "prevent", "refrain from", or "abstain from" for a more polished and professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "avoid doing" functions as a verb phrase, advising against performing a specific action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a usable form in English. Examples in Ludwig show its use across various contexts, such as avoiding certain activities or behaviors.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Wiki

33%

News & Media

30%

Science

22%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "avoid doing" is a grammatically correct and commonly used way to advise against performing an action. As Ludwig AI explains, it's suitable for various contexts, from informal to semi-formal. While versatile, consider using stronger alternatives like "refrain from" or "abstain from" in more formal settings. The phrase sees common usage in "News & Media" and "Wiki" sources. Remember to clearly explain the potential negative consequences when recommending what to "avoid doing" for maximum impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

refrain from doing

Implies a deliberate act of holding oneself back from performing an action.

abstain from doing

Suggests a more formal and often moralistic avoidance of an action.

steer clear of doing

Emphasizes the act of keeping a safe distance from a potentially problematic action.

keep from doing

Focuses on preventing oneself or someone else from initiating an action.

evade doing

Highlights the act of skillfully escaping or dodging an undesirable action.

prevent oneself from doing

A more verbose alternative that emphasizes personal agency in avoiding an action.

shun doing

Suggests a deliberate and often public rejection of an action.

forego doing

Implies a voluntary sacrifice or relinquishment of an action.

bypass doing

Indicates going around or circumventing an action, often for efficiency.

escape doing

Highlights the act of getting away from a potentially forced action.

FAQs

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

You can use "avoid doing" to suggest not performing a certain action. For instance, "To stay healthy, "avoid doing" strenuous exercises without warming up".

What are some alternatives to "avoid doing"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "refrain from doing", "abstain from doing", or "prevent from doing".

Is it better to say "avoid to do" or "avoid doing"?

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

When is it appropriate to use "avoid doing" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "avoid doing" in both neutral and informal contexts when you want to advise someone not to take a specific action. In formal writing, consider alternatives for a more sophisticated tone.