avoid the possibility of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "avoid the possibility of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing measures taken to prevent a certain outcome or event from occurring. Example: "To ensure the project's success, we must take steps to avoid the possibility of delays in the timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"We further wish to reassure people that every possible action is being taken to avoid the possibility of such a loss ever occurring again in future".

The Guardian

If possible, try to merge into large crowds of older kids to avoid the possibility of being seen.

WikiHow

Second, avoid the possibility of default on the nation's debt.

The New York Times

To avoid the possibility of water logging, steamed lobsters are the better option.

The New York Times

"The department did this to avoid the possibility of a race riot".

The New York Times

And Fry may have been killed to avoid the possibility of him talking.

The Guardian

"Plus, parents avoid the possibility of getting a $600 phone bill due to overages".

The New York Times - Tech

The Dolphins were intent on signing their pick before the draft to avoid the possibility of a holdout.

The New York Times

If no new elections for Parliament are held, the Labor party will avoid the possibility of a debilitating blow.

The New York Times

The tight waist was, presumably, designed to avoid the possibility of interfering with the action of bow and arrow.

The New York Times - Arts

That would avoid the possibility of other candidates demanding equal time, said Robert Greenblatt, NBC's top entertainment executive.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "avoid the possibility of", ensure the sentence clearly states what action is being taken to prevent the undesirable outcome. For instance, "To "avoid the possibility of" delays, we implemented a strict project management system."

Common error

While "avoid the possibility of" is correct, overuse can make writing sound stilted. Use simpler alternatives like "prevent" or "reduce the risk of" where appropriate to improve clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "avoid the possibility of" functions as a verb phrase acting as a clause element within a sentence. It generally introduces a purpose or intention, explaining the reason for a particular action or measure, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "avoid the possibility of" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase used to express preventive actions against potential risks. As Ludwig AI confirms, its function lies in indicating intent to avert an undesirable outcome. It is used across various registers but is more common in news, scientific, and general contexts. While correct, it should be used judiciously, considering simpler alternatives when appropriate. Remember to state which actions will be taken. Overall, it's a versatile phrase for expressing a desire to prevent something from happening.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

eliminate the risk of

Substitutes "avoid" with "eliminate" and "possibility" with "risk", highlighting complete removal.

avert the likelihood of

Replaces "avoid" with "avert" and "possibility" with "likelihood", indicating turning away from a probable event.

preclude the chance of

Replaces "avoid" with "preclude" and "possibility" with "chance", emphasizing prevention.

preclude the prospect of

Replaces "avoid" with "preclude" and "possibility" with "prospect", emphasizing prevention.

obviate the potential for

Replaces "avoid" with "obviate" and "possibility" with "potential", suggesting rendering something unnecessary.

negate the chance of

Replaces "avoid" with "negate" and "possibility" with "chance", emphasizing the cancellation of an event.

forestall the prospect of

Substitutes "avoid" with "forestall" and "possibility" with "prospect", emphasizing proactive prevention.

circumvent the danger of

Replaces "avoid" with "circumvent" and "possibility" with "danger", suggesting finding a way around something hazardous.

mitigate the threat of

Substitutes "avoid" with "mitigate" and "possibility" with "threat", focusing on reducing the severity.

dodge the hazard of

Substitutes "avoid" with "dodge" and "possibility" with "hazard", highlighting evasion.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "avoid the possibility of" to sound more concise?

Consider using alternatives such as "prevent the risk of", "eliminate the chance of", or simply "prevent" depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to use "avoid the possibility of", or are there situations where a simpler term suffices?

In many cases, simpler terms like "prevent", "reduce", or "eliminate" can effectively replace "avoid the possibility of", making your writing more direct and easier to understand.

What's the difference between "avoid the possibility of" and "reduce the likelihood of"?

"Avoid the possibility of" suggests taking actions to completely prevent something from happening. "Reduce the likelihood of" implies lessening the chances of something occurring, without necessarily eliminating it entirely. See also "mitigate the threat of".

How can I use "avoid the possibility of" correctly in a sentence?

Ensure the sentence clearly specifies what action is being taken to prevent a specific outcome. For example: "The company implemented new safety protocols to "avoid the possibility of" accidents." Consider alternatives like "eliminate the risk of" for similar meaning.