avoid the work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "avoid the work" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the act of not engaging in a specific task or responsibility. Example: "He always tries to find a way to avoid the work assigned to him during group projects."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Ms. Brendel said people often ask her, why not avoid the work and sell the shop to Starbucks.

The New York Times

(Mr. Douglas played McMurphy in the original, short-lived Broadway staging of Mr. Wasserman's adaptation in 1963.) A bawdy brawler who gets himself checked into a mental institution to avoid the work duty of a prison sentence, McMurphy is meant to be a cyclonic life force.

The New York Times

People avoid the work they want to do the most.

Forbes

I don't procrastinate because I want to avoid the work, I often do it because I'm uncertain of the right next step.

Huffington Post

The authors suggest that, in the wild, nectar may be a frequent, convenient way to get some nutrients, as it would avoid the work, risks and costs (such as making venom).

Wikipedia

The authors suggest that, in the wild, nectar may be a frequent, convenient way to get some nutrients, as it would avoid the work, risks and costs (such as making venom) of predation.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

"The main thing is to make sure that people know when things are happening and know how they can avoid the works by taking alternate routes," said Gordeeva.

The Guardian

With three A.P. classes and extracurricular activities taking up the majority of my time, it's easy to waste valuable hours avoiding the work I have to do to finally complete the college decision process.

The New York Times

Are they cleverly avoiding the work or does that reasoning make sense?

Huffington Post

You expect them to do their homework, but you will not engage in power struggles that exhaust everyone and serve as a passive-aggressive method kids use to continue avoiding the work.

Huffington Post

Our work suggests that this method can avoid the burdensome work on building coordinate systems, transformation matrix and understanding on the mechanism.

Mechanism and Machine Theory

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "avoid the work", ensure it's clear what specific task or responsibility is being avoided to maintain clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Don't use "avoid the work" as a blanket statement. Instead, specify the particular task or duty being sidestepped to provide context and prevent misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "avoid the work" functions primarily as a verb phrase, expressing the action of evading or circumventing tasks or responsibilities. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "avoid the work" is a verb phrase used to describe the act of evading a task or responsibility. Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically correct and usable in written English. While the phrase is generally neutral, it can often carry a slightly negative connotation implying a lack of diligence. Its register is generally neutral, being commonly found in contexts like news and media, although more formal alternatives may be preferred in professional settings. Related phrases include "shirk the responsibilities" and "dodge the task", which offer alternative ways to express the same core idea with varying nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shirk the responsibilities

Focuses more on evading duties or obligations specifically.

dodge the task

Implies a quick or evasive movement to escape a specific duty.

evade the labor

Highlights escaping physical or strenuous effort.

circumvent the effort

Suggests finding a way around the need for exertion.

bypass the activity

Means to skip or go around a planned or required action.

sidestep the chore

Emphasizes delicately avoiding an unpleasant task.

escape the duty

Focuses on getting away from a sense of obligation.

neglect the job

Implies a failure to properly attend to or complete the required work.

miss out on the activity

To not be involved in a work activity.

refrain from the process

To stop yourself from getting involved in the actions done.

FAQs

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

You can use "avoid the work" to describe someone's attempt to evade a task, like: "He tried to "avoid the work" by pretending to be busy".

What's a more formal way to say "avoid the work"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "shirk responsibilities" or "evade the labor". These alternatives carry a similar meaning but are appropriate for professional or academic contexts.

What can I say instead of "avoid the work"?

You can use alternatives like "dodge the task", "sidestep the chore", or "bypass the activity" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "avoid the work" negative?

The phrase "avoid the work" often carries a negative connotation, implying a lack of responsibility or diligence. However, it can be neutral depending on the context, such as when describing strategic choices to optimize efficiency.