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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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avoid to discuss

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "avoid to discuss" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct form is "avoid discussing." Example: "We should avoid discussing sensitive topics during the meeting."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

To deal with (tilde{I}_{2}(x)), we discuss as in the estimate for (I_{2}(x)) with ((h-h_{Q} f) instead of f and m̃ and (tilde{q_{1}}) instead of m and (q_{1}), but we cannot avoid to discuss the different cases where (2^{k}rho (x_{0}) geq 1) and (2^{k}rho (x_{0})< 1).

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The main reason for only providing partial information appeared to be to avoid having to discuss HIV, which was tied up with issues of trust and fidelity.

The simple way to avoid this is to discuss the big ticket items before marriage.

News & Media

HuffPost

And Planned Parenthood says that Komen avoided its attempts to discuss the issue.

News & Media

The New Yorker

To avoid misunderstandings, discuss academic integrity with them early in the semester.

You can find good information online about what your pup should avoid, in addition to discussing it with your veterinarian.

Choose the topics that you wish to discuss and avoid fighting over minor issues.

The White House is celebrating this week the sixth anniversary of enactment of the Affordable Care Act celebrating but trying to avoid discussing its failure to achieve widely heralded goals.

News & Media

Forbes

To avoid extreme awkwardness, discuss any serious problems you need help with in a private place.

2. (S/NF) Summary continued: Aboul Gheit is smart, urbane, with a tendency to lecture and to avoid discussing Egyptian failings with all-purpose recourse to Egyptian sovereign pride.

News & Media

The Guardian

If you've convinced yourself that you're "friends" with your ex, try to avoid casually discussing who they're currently dating.

News & Media

HuffPost
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the gerund form "discussing" after "avoid". For example: "We should "avoid discussing" sensitive topics."

Common error

Don't use the infinitive form ("to discuss") after "avoid". The correct structure is "avoid + gerund" (e.g., "avoid discussing").

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

79%

Authority and reliability

1.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "avoid to discuss" functions as an attempt to express the action of preventing or steering clear of a conversation. However, it's grammatically incorrect, as Ludwig AI points out. The correct construction involves using the gerund form of the verb.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "avoid to discuss" is grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI indicates, the correct form is "avoid discussing". While the intent is clear – to express the act of preventing a conversation – the improper grammar undermines its effectiveness, particularly in formal settings. Remember to use the gerund form after "avoid" to ensure grammatical accuracy. Examples from Ludwig demonstrate contexts where avoiding discussion is a deliberate strategy, but always ensure the language is correct.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use "avoid" when referring to a discussion?

The correct grammatical structure is to use the gerund form of the verb after "avoid". So, instead of "avoid to discuss", you should say "avoid discussing".

What can I say instead of "avoid to discuss"?

Since "avoid to discuss" is grammatically incorrect, use "avoid discussing" or consider alternatives such as "refrain from discussing" or "decline to discuss".

Is "avoid to discuss" grammatically correct?

No, "avoid to discuss" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "avoid discussing". The verb "avoid" requires a gerund (verb + -ing) as its object, not an infinitive.

What's the difference between "avoid discussing" and "avoid to discuss"?

"Avoid discussing" is grammatically correct and means to prevent or stay away from a particular conversation. "Avoid to discuss" is grammatically incorrect and should not be used.

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Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: