The phrase "avoid sinking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where one is trying to prevent something from failing or going down, whether literally or metaphorically.
Example: "To ensure the boat remains afloat, we must take measures to avoid sinking."
Alternatives: "prevent submerging" or "steer clear of going down".
Looking at some of the worst things humans can suffer, thinking about unphotographable things, how do you avoid sinking into despair?
The strong demand from investors raised hopes that Italy would be able to avoid sinking into a financial crisis, as Greece and Portugal have.
Johnson was in the wheelhouse when Cheltenham failed to steer their way around enough icebergs to avoid sinking into the murky depths of the National League last season.
But in losing Gerty, Mr. Davies loses Lily's -- and the film's -- connection to the "other half" of New York, into which she is finally unable to avoid sinking.
If he can become the leader this team needs and reverse his declining performances then perhaps San Francisco can avoid sinking to the bottom of the division.
He faces the near certainty of large numbers of defections from his ranks on Monday as he tries to win support for the compromise with the Senate, which he needs to avoid sinking the deal and owning the political fallout.
"I didn't realize just how easily linkages across decision-makers can be formed," says psychologist Barry Staw of the University of California, Berkeley, who was one of the first researchers to suggest using a second decision-maker to avoid sunk costs.
Due to this and to avoid sunk costs of previous investments in this infrastructure, there is a strong motivation to continue the current system rather than to redesign and redirect development.
Outside speculators avoided sinking any money into the development of land until the pipeline was certain.
Villa's focus is on avoiding sinking into the bottom three at the moment rather than trophies, but Cole is used to winning silverware, having claimed eight domestic trophies with Chelsea.
Like a cross between Pearl Jam and Creedence, the band have consistently avoided sinking into the anonymous jam-band swamp with tight songcraft and appealingly lurid storytelling, passionately delivered by principal songwriters Patterson Hood, Shonna Tucker and Mike Cooley.
