avoid doing that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "avoid doing that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to advise someone against a specific action or behavior that may have negative consequences. Example: "If you want to maintain a good relationship with your colleagues, it's best to avoid doing that during meetings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

What do I need to avoid doing that would really bother you?

Harvard Business Review

I never wanted to say goodbye to them, but the only way I could avoid doing that was to stop visiting.

The New Yorker

He was building a case that Walker and his campaign organization, Friends of Scott Walker, had carried out "a criminal scheme" to avoid doing that kind of reporting.

The New Yorker

"A lot of the big Christian aid outfits are very careful to avoid doing that but IAM had a name for doing a bit of spreading the word if they had the chance," he said.

The Guardian

One way to avoid doing that is to take advantage of new hosted applications, like Salesforce.com or Zoho, for sales and customer service.

Forbes

If a certain movement or position causes increased symptoms and pain, isolate the injured area and avoid doing that movement.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

He avoided doing that once but he could not avoid giving the impression that this was on his mind as he ran up to bowl.

The Guardian - Sport

While Ms. Racanelli says it could be used to project future obligations, she avoids doing that because people can get bogged down in what might be.

The New York Times

She must wish that David Cameron had avoided doing that message such harm.

BBC

In fact it completely avoids doing that.

Los Angeles Times

Up until now, I'd avoided doing that.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When advising someone, follow "avoid doing that" with a clear explanation of why the action should be avoided. This provides context and helps the recipient understand the rationale.

Common error

Ensure that "that" refers to a clearly defined action or situation. Vague references can confuse the reader. Always clarify what "that" is referring to for better clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "avoid doing that" functions as a directive or piece of advice, guiding someone to refrain from a specific action. Ludwig AI shows its usability across a range of contexts. It is commonly used to prevent negative outcomes.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Wiki

31%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Science

13%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "avoid doing that" is a versatile phrase used to advise against a specific action. Ludwig AI confirms that it functions as a directive and is commonly used to prevent negative outcomes across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Wiki sources. While grammatically correct and frequently used, it's important to ensure the reference is clear to avoid confusion. For more formal settings, consider alternatives like "refrain from doing that". By understanding its function and usage patterns, you can effectively incorporate this phrase into your writing and communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

refrain from doing that

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

abstain from that action

Suggests a more formal and often moral or ethical decision to avoid the action.

steer clear of doing that

Indicates an attempt to keep a safe distance from the action or situation.

prevent yourself from doing that

Focuses on the individual's effort to stop themselves.

make sure you don't do that

Emphasizes the importance of not performing the action, often as a warning.

ensure that you don't do that

Stresses the need to guarantee the action is not performed.

take precautions not to do that

Highlights the need for preparatory measures to avoid the action.

bypass doing that

Suggests finding a way around the necessity of performing the action.

circumvent doing that

Implies using clever or strategic means to evade the action.

evade doing that

Indicates an attempt to escape or avoid the action, often cleverly.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "avoid doing that" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "refrain from doing that" or "abstain from that action". These options convey a more deliberate and considered avoidance.

What's a more casual way to say "avoid doing that"?

Informal alternatives include "steer clear of doing that" or "make sure you don't do that". These options are suitable for everyday conversation.

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

The phrase "avoid doing that" is appropriate in a wide range of contexts, from informal advice to more formal recommendations. It's suitable when you want to clearly advise against a specific action due to potential negative consequences.

Is there a difference between "avoid doing that" and "prevent doing that"?

While similar, "avoid doing that" implies steering clear of something, whereas "prevent doing that" suggests actively stopping something from happening. The choice depends on whether you're emphasizing avoidance or active prevention.