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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
avoid embarrassment
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "avoid embarrassment" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing actions or behaviors that help prevent feelings of shame or awkwardness in social situations. Example: "To avoid embarrassment, she decided to practice her speech several times before the presentation."
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Wiki
Science
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
60 human-written examples
The only way to avoid embarrassment is with intense-to-the-point-that-the-effort-itself-becomes-embarrassing practice.
News & Media
To avoid embarrassment?
News & Media
To avoid embarrassment, protocol created.
News & Media
To avoid embarrassment, protocol was created.
News & Media
To avoid embarrassment, he retired in 1959.
News & Media
To avoid embarrassment, his or her name is informally sounded.
Encyclopedias
What odds that he will decide to avoid embarrassment?
News & Media
She declined to give her full name to avoid embarrassment.
News & Media
But with a semifinal matchup against Rosewall looming, Edmondson simply hoped to avoid embarrassment.
News & Media
"We call everyone Mrs to avoid embarrassment," an angry nurse told me.
News & Media
To avoid embarrassment, the government decided to raise his rank to match his title.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When writing, consider the audience and context to ensure that the actions taken to "avoid embarrassment" are appropriate and don't create further issues. Sometimes, directly addressing a potentially embarrassing situation can be more effective than trying to avoid it.
Common error
While it's often wise to "avoid embarrassment", sometimes facing difficult situations head-on is necessary. Overly avoiding potential embarrassment can lead to missed opportunities for growth or resolution of underlying issues.
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "avoid embarrassment" functions as an infinitive phrase expressing purpose or intention. As confirmed by Ludwig, it indicates the reason behind an action, aiming to prevent a state of awkwardness or shame. Many examples across the web showcase its usage in various contexts.
Frequent in
News & Media
45%
Wiki
20%
Science
15%
Less common in
Formal & Business
10%
Encyclopedias
5%
Reference
5%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The phrase "avoid embarrassment" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe actions taken to prevent feelings of awkwardness or shame. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media, wiki articles, and scientific publications. While it's generally a sensible goal, it's important to balance the desire to "avoid embarrassment" with the need to address difficult situations directly. Alternatives like "prevent humiliation" or "sidestep awkwardness" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Therefore, understanding the context and potential consequences of overly avoiding embarrassment is key to effective communication and personal growth.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
prevent humiliation
Focuses more intensely on preventing the feeling of humiliation rather than general embarrassment.
prevent awkwardness
Highlights the avoidance of an awkward situation.
sidestep awkwardness
Highlights the act of maneuvering around a potentially uncomfortable situation.
evade disgrace
Implies avoiding a more severe form of shame and loss of reputation.
steer clear of shame
Emphasizes the avoidance of feeling shame, a deeper emotional response than simple embarrassment.
avert mortification
Refers to preventing a strong feeling of shame or humiliation.
dodge humiliation
Implies a quick or evasive action to prevent feeling humiliated.
forestall shame
Implies taking action in advance to prevent feelings of shame from arising.
escape awkward situations
Focuses on getting out of already uncomfortable or embarrassing scenarios.
mitigate embarrassment
Suggests lessening the impact of an embarrassing situation rather than completely avoiding it.
FAQs
How can I use "avoid embarrassment" in a sentence?
You can use "avoid embarrassment" to describe actions taken to prevent awkward or shameful situations. For example, "To "avoid embarrassment", she practiced her presentation thoroughly."
What's a more formal alternative to "avoid embarrassment"?
In more formal contexts, you might use phrases like "prevent humiliation" or "avert disgrace" to convey a similar meaning with a heightened sense of formality.
Is it always a good idea to "avoid embarrassment"?
While "avoid embarrassment" is often a sensible goal, sometimes facing potentially embarrassing situations directly can lead to growth or resolution. Over-prioritizing the avoidance of embarrassment can hinder personal development.
What are some common reasons why people try to "avoid embarrassment"?
People often try to "avoid embarrassment" to maintain social standing, protect their reputation, or sidestep uncomfortable social interactions. The desire to "avoid awkwardness" is a strong motivator for many social behaviors.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested