avoidable

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "avoidable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that can be prevented or evaded. For example, "By making sensible decisions and following safety protocols, many dangers are avoidable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Secondly, from next April, all NHS trusts will be mandated to investigate deaths in their hospitals in a standardised way by specially trained consultants who will be required to judge what proportion had a problem with their care and were avoidable.

The Guardian

An inquest in 2012 determined that Kate's death was avoidable.

The Guardian

That's damaging, he says – and avoidable.

The Guardian

This was absolutely avoidable.

The Economist

Now even the determined chancellor risks being blown off his single-currency course and perhaps from office.Part of the government's current mess was avoidable.

The Economist

In fact, the political crisis that referendum defeats would be bound to bring was entirely avoidable.

The Economist

Today's fragile stability could quickly dissolve into violent chaos.This nightmare scenario is avoidable.

The Economist

For instance, an increase in consumption would benefit Florida, which gets the bulk of its revenues from a sales tax, more than Oregon, which relies chiefly on income tax.Not everyone believes a bloodbath is avoidable.

The Economist

But doctors are plagued by avoidable failure and the medical profession as a whole has no reliable mechanism for learning from its mistakes.Mr Gawande is a persuasive champion of his cause.

The Economist

Such reptilian life may not entirely be avoidable.

The Economist

Rightly insisting that the first world war would have had a swifter and better ending if Britain had not intervened, Mr Ferguson wrongly contends that the war was thereby also avoidable.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In medical contexts, use "avoidable" to highlight failures in healthcare that lead to negative outcomes, prompting improvements in patient care and safety.

Common error

Avoid using "unavoidable" when the situation could realistically have been prevented. Overusing "unavoidable" can downplay responsibility and hinder learning from mistakes. Instead, critically assess whether precautions could have changed the outcome before labeling something as beyond control.

Linguistic Context

The word "avoidable" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe something that is capable of being avoided or prevented. Ludwig AI confirms this, showcasing numerous examples where "avoidable" qualifies nouns like "deaths", "errors", and "harm".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "avoidable" is a versatile adjective used to describe something that can be prevented or evaded. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and frequent usage across various contexts, particularly in news, business, and scientific domains. The word carries a neutral tone but can also convey a professional or formal register depending on the situation. When using "avoidable", it's crucial to ensure accuracy and avoid misusing "unavoidable" in instances where prevention was indeed possible. By understanding its nuances, you can effectively communicate the potential for prevention and the importance of proactive measures.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Preventable

Focuses on the possibility of stopping something from happening, often emphasizing proactive measures.

Avertable

Highlights the ability to turn away or ward off an event, suggesting a more direct intervention.

Eradicable

Implies the complete elimination of something, often used for problems or diseases.

Circumventable

Suggests finding a way around or avoiding an obstacle or rule.

Escapable

Emphasizes the possibility of getting free from a dangerous or confining situation.

Controllable

Highlights the ability to manage or regulate a situation to prevent undesirable outcomes.

Manageable

Suggests that a situation, although potentially problematic, can be handled effectively.

Remediable

Focuses on the possibility of correcting or improving a negative situation.

Rectifiable

Implies that something can be set right or corrected, often used in legal or formal contexts.

Negligible

Indicates that something is so small or unimportant that it can be disregarded.

FAQs

How can I use "avoidable" in a sentence?

You can use "avoidable" to describe something that could have been prevented. For example, "The accident was "avoidable" if the driver had been more careful."

What is a good synonym for "avoidable"?

A good synonym for "avoidable" is "preventable". It emphasizes the possibility of stopping something from happening.

What's the difference between "avoidable" and "unavoidable"?

"Avoidable" means something can be prevented, while "unavoidable" means it cannot be prevented, regardless of precautions. For example, an "avoidable" error could have been corrected, but an unavoidable natural disaster could not have been stopped.

When is it appropriate to use the word "avoidable"?

It's appropriate to use "avoidable" when discussing negative outcomes that could have been prevented through better planning, care, or adherence to safety measures. It's often used in contexts where lessons can be learned to prevent similar events in the future.