avoid the vices

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "avoid the vices" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing moral behavior or encouraging someone to steer clear of negative habits or actions. Example: "To lead a fulfilling life, it is essential to avoid the vices that can lead to personal downfall."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

If there are any lessons in this, Sandy said, it's to avoid the vices that can cloud your thinking, to acknowledge your own weakness and to accept help.

Los Angeles Times

She's on a short list with people like Ron Howard (Imagine Entertainment) who have managed to have a successful childhood acting career, avoid the vices that often accompany fame and fortune, and make it to Hollywood as a well-adjusted adult and working actor.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Dime museums advertised bearded ladies, four-legged chickens and two-headed calves, along with a mix of sex and gore that, to provide a veneer of public edification and to avoid the vice squad, were accompanied by scientific "explanations".

The New York Times - Magazine

The following night on Raw, Jericho earned a match against Punk at WrestleMania XXVIII, and in a bid to psychologically unsettle him, he revealed Punk's father was an alcoholic and alleged that his sister was a drug addict, asserting that Punk's straight edge philosophy was paranoia to avoid the same vices and vowing to make Punk turn to alcohol by winning the title from him.

Wikipedia

But Mr. McGovern, who had pledged to "avoid the messy way vice presidents had been picked in the past," chose Mr. Eagleton after considering him for less than an hour.

The New York Times

"You're both writing by committee and trying to avoid all the vices of writing by committee," he said.

The New York Times

He chooses an "exotic" setting in the Caribbean, but avoids the fictional vice you could call travel-agentry.

The Economist

"Iraq is the disaster we have to get rid of, and Iran is the disaster we have to avoid," Joseph Cirincione, the vice-president for national security at the liberal Center for American Progress, said.

The New Yorker

By bringing the code to the data and not vice versa, we avoid the bottleneck of slow Ethernet-transfers and disc I/O.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

It was McConnell who worked with Vice-President Joe Biden to avoid the "fiscal cliff" in 2012, which would have lead to increased taxes and spending cuts.

BBC

Asked what he would say to Pacers' fans, the vice president said: "I try to avoid the subject".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "avoid the vices", consider specifying which vices you are referring to for greater clarity and impact. For instance, "avoid the vices of greed and envy" provides a more focused message.

Common error

Avoid using "avoid the vices" in contexts where specific negative behaviors should be addressed. Being too general dilutes the message and reduces its effectiveness. Instead, identify and name the specific detrimental practices.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "avoid the vices" functions primarily as an imperative, offering guidance or advice on behavior. It is used to suggest refraining from certain negative actions or habits. As Ludwig AI points out, it is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "avoid the vices" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase, although relatively uncommon, primarily found in News & Media contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, and its purpose is to encourage virtuous behavior. When using this phrase, it's important to provide specific examples of the vices you are referencing to enhance clarity. Alternatives like "shun immoral habits" or "stay clear of negative habits" can be considered depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stay clear of negative habits

Similar to the original, but uses more colloquial language.

shun immoral habits

Focuses specifically on immoral habits, suggesting a stronger ethical dimension.

eschew harmful behaviors

Uses a more formal verb, 'eschew', implying a deliberate and conscious avoidance of harmful actions.

abstain from sinful acts

Emphasizes the religious or moral dimension of avoiding wrongdoing.

refrain from morally wrong conduct

Replaces "vices" with more explicit moral terminology.

keep away from bad influences

Shifts the focus to external influences rather than internal tendencies.

dodge destructive patterns

Emphasizes the active effort required to avoid harmful behaviors.

avoid temptation

Focuses on the initial impulse that leads to vices, suggesting a proactive strategy.

circumvent unethical actions

Suggests a strategic avoidance of situations that could lead to unethical behavior.

evade corrupting influences

Highlights the insidious nature of influences that can lead to vice.

FAQs

How can I use "avoid the vices" in a sentence?

You can use "avoid the vices" to encourage someone to stay away from negative behaviors. For example, "To maintain a healthy lifestyle, it's important to "avoid the vices" that can lead to physical and mental decline".

What's a good alternative to "avoid the vices"?

Alternatives include "shun immoral habits", "abstain from sinful acts", or "stay clear of negative habits", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "avoid vices" or "avoid the vices"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "avoid the vices" implies you're referring to a specific set of vices known to the speaker and listener. "Avoid vices" is more general. Use "avoid the vices" when the context makes the specific vices clear.

What types of "vices" should one try to avoid?

The specific "vices" one should avoid depend on personal values and beliefs, but common examples include greed, envy, lust, wrath, pride, sloth, and gluttony. Identifying and addressing your personal weaknesses is essential for self-improvement.