avoid looking at

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "avoid looking at" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when advising someone to refrain from directing their gaze towards something, often to prevent distraction or discomfort. Example: "To maintain focus during the presentation, try to avoid looking at your phone."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I avoid looking at the horizon entirely".

The New York Times

Beliefs are a way to avoid looking at reality.

The New York Times

But pretty soon there is no way for him to avoid looking at this urban Eve.

The New Yorker

Young men typically avoid looking at him, or, as they pass, cut their eyes toward him.

The New Yorker

"It's synonymous with ugliness, that part of us we always try to avoid looking at".

The New Yorker

Still, Jodie tried to avoid looking at the 46,634 fans.

The New York Times - Sports

I avoid looking at computers before bed, because they have been linked with disturbed sleep.

The New Yorker

Salafi men don't shake a woman's hand, and some of them tried to avoid looking at me directly.

The New Yorker

But the main attractions are large: works you can't avoid looking at, whose scale alone invites awe.

The New York Times - Arts

One juror, Sandra Logan, tried to avoid looking at Gross for fear she would weep in the courtroom.

The New York Times - Magazine

When I see the calendar getting to the end of the month, I cannot avoid looking at that".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "avoid looking at" to suggest caution or discretion, when directing your gaze can have negative consequences.

Common error

While generally acceptable, "avoid looking at" can sometimes sound informal. In highly formal writing, consider alternatives like "refrain from gazing at" or "avert one's eyes from" to maintain a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "avoid looking at" functions as a verb phrase indicating an action of refraining from directing one's gaze. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase. Examples show its usage in contexts ranging from averting one's eyes from something unpleasant to avoiding distractions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

30%

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "avoid looking at" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that advises against directing one's gaze towards something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread applicability. It appears across various contexts, from News & Media to Wiki and Science, indicating its versatility. While generally neutral, its tone can be perceived as slightly informal in certain formal settings. When more formality is needed, alternatives such as "refrain from gazing at" or "avert one's eyes from" may be considered. Ultimately, "avoid looking at" serves as a practical and straightforward way to instruct or describe the act of averting one's gaze.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

refrain from gazing at

Replaces "avoid" with "refrain", adding a slightly more formal tone.

avert one's eyes from

Uses a more direct synonym for 'avoid' and specifies the action of the eyes.

steer clear of looking at

Emphasizes avoidance with the phrase "steer clear of", indicating a deliberate effort.

try not to look at

Replaces "avoid" with "try not to", softening the command.

look away from

Focuses on the action of directing one's gaze elsewhere.

disregard

Implies a conscious decision to ignore or not acknowledge something visually.

ignore visually

Directly states the act of ignoring something with one's sight.

turn a blind eye to

An idiomatic expression for ignoring something, often something one should address.

shun visually

Replaces "avoid" with "shun", which implies an intent to stay away from something or someone.

escape looking at

Conveys the action of finding a way to not look at something

FAQs

How can I rephrase "avoid looking at" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "refrain from gazing at" or "avert one's eyes from".

What does it mean to "avoid looking at" something?

To "avoid looking at" something means to intentionally refrain from directing your gaze towards it, often to prevent distraction, discomfort, or negative emotional responses.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "avoid looking at"?

It's appropriate when advising someone to not focus on something distracting or unpleasant, or when describing a situation where someone is consciously averting their gaze.

What's a simpler way to say "avoid looking at"?

Simpler alternatives include "try not to look at" or "look away from", depending on the context.