avoid unnerving

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "avoid unnerving" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when advising someone to steer clear of actions or situations that may cause anxiety or discomfort. Example: "In order to maintain a calm atmosphere during the presentation, it's important to avoid unnerving the audience with unexpected changes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

But he said Monday that he had concluded the Fed might act simply to avoid unnerving markets itself.

The New York Times

On Tuesday, however, Mr. Rajoy convinced the regions that such an overhaul should not be negotiated until next year, to avoid unnerving investors already concerned about Spain's lack of budgetary discipline.

The New York Times

America's president meets his Russian counterpart for a summit to discuss missile defences, tallies of nuclear warheads and the need to avoid unnerving instability between the world's two biggest nuclear powers.

The Economist

The Brotherhood has said repeatedly that it intends to form a coalition or unity government, in part to avoid unnerving Egyptian liberals or Westerners who may fear an Islamist takeover.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Mr. Obama has said he wants avoid that option, because it could further unnerve investors and radiate out through the company's network of suppliers and dealers.

The New York Times

Once you locked yourself in for the night you avoided going out into the corridor because it was creepy and unnerving.

The Guardian - Film

Most change, whether on a personal or societal level, is unnerving at first because we cling to what we know to avoid facing anxiety about the unknown.

Huffington Post

Some economists, like Jan Hatzius of Goldman Sachs, argue that corporate America, unnerved by the worst recession since the 1930s, will probably avoid expansion for at least several years after the downturn ends.

The New York Times

He appeared to subscribe to the theory that if you wanted to unnerve a man you didn't look him in the eye, you did the opposite: avoid the eye by looking at his earlobe.

The New Yorker

Even unnerving.

The Guardian - Sport

It is unnerving.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When addressing sensitive topics, use "avoid unnerving" to signal a deliberate effort to prevent anxiety or discomfort, demonstrating consideration for the audience's emotional state.

Common error

While "avoid unnerving" is grammatically sound, overuse in casual conversation can sound overly formal or clinical. In informal settings, consider using simpler alternatives like "don't upset" or "don't worry".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "avoid unnerving" functions as an infinitive phrase used to express purpose or intention. It suggests a deliberate action taken to prevent someone from becoming anxious, disturbed, or unstable. Ludwig's examples show that it is used to suggest avoiding actions that could cause investors to be worried, or instability between powers.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "avoid unnerving" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that functions to advise preventing anxiety or instability. Ludwig indicates that this phrase is correctly used in English and is most commonly found in news and media contexts. While its usage is relatively rare, it serves a clear purpose and can be effectively employed to convey the importance of maintaining emotional stability and preventing discomfort. Consider simpler or more direct alternatives in informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prevent from unsettling

Replaces "avoid unnerving" with synonyms that convey a similar meaning of preventing someone from becoming anxious or disturbed.

steer clear of unsettling

Uses a more informal and direct tone, suggesting a deliberate effort to bypass something that might cause discomfort.

refrain from disturbing

Emphasizes the act of holding back from actions that could disrupt someone's peace of mind.

circumvent agitating

Suggests a strategic maneuver to bypass a situation that might cause emotional arousal or anxiety.

keep from alarming

Focuses on preventing the onset of fear or panic in someone, highlighting the potential for a strong negative reaction.

forestall disconcerting

Implies taking preemptive measures to prevent something from causing a feeling of unease or confusion.

deter from disquieting

Emphasizes the act of discouraging or preventing something from causing worry or anxiety.

in order not to agitate

This alternative is more verbose, specifying the purpose or intention behind avoiding agitation.

so as not to unsettle

Similar to "in order not to agitate", this phrase explicitly states the aim of preventing unease.

to prevent from causing anxiety

This alternative explicitly mentions the goal of preventing anxiety, making the intention very clear.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "avoid unnerving" in a formal context?

In formal contexts, consider alternatives like "prevent from unsettling" or "refrain from disturbing" to maintain a professional tone.

What's a simpler way to say "avoid unnerving" in everyday conversation?

For daily conversations, you could use phrases like "don't worry", "don't upset", or "keep calm" which are more casual and easily understood.

When is it best to use the phrase "avoid unnerving"?

"Avoid unnerving" is best used when you want to explicitly highlight the intention of preventing anxiety or instability, particularly when discussing sensitive or complex issues. For example: "In order to maintain a calm atmosphere during the presentation, it's important to "avoid unnerving" the audience with unexpected changes."

What are some synonyms for "unnerving" that I can use with "avoid"?

You can use "avoid" with synonyms such as unsettling, disturbing, alarming, or disquieting, depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. For instance, "avoid disturbing" suggests preventing a disruption of peace, while "avoid alarming" implies preventing the onset of fear.