avoiding a collision

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "avoiding a collision" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to safety, transportation, or any situation where preventing an impact is necessary. Example: "The driver swerved to the left, avoiding a collision with the oncoming vehicle."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

There was Michael Heseltine, her assassin, carefully avoiding a collision with Norman Tebbit, the great loyalist.

The Guardian

The family takes a day trip, narrowly avoiding a collision in the car.

The New Yorker

I wouldn't have thought it possible to go too fast while rowing, but in the Green Machine, aided by an enthusiastic volunteer, we did, narrowly avoiding a collision.

The New York Times - Arts

One video showed his car avoiding a collision on a highway, racking up 1m views after it was tweeted by Tesla CEO Elon Musk.

The Guardian - Tech

1.18pm: Brawn's Rubens Barrichello is struggling in 16th place after stalling on the grid and narrowly avoiding a collision with Kovalainen.

The Guardian - Sport

The incident at Liverpool airport involved a passenger jet that was taking off narrowly avoiding a collision with a drone, which came within 5 metres of the aircraft's wingtip.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

The robot achieves 'Smooth' collision avoidance when it can avoid a collision with the human and also has a small overlapping region of personal space.

ROBOMECH Journal

A collision-avoidance system aboard the American Airlines plane helped to avoid a collision, alerting the pilot to the presence of the military planes.

Huffington Post

I tried to avoid a collision, and I went funny".

The New York Times - Sports

Each lowers an arm to avoid a collision.

The New York Times - Arts

Until now, the Coalition Authority has been very wise to avoid a collision with senior Iraqi clerics.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about automated systems, such as self-driving cars or aircraft, use "avoiding a collision" to highlight the system's ability to prevent accidents.

Common error

Avoid using "avoiding a collision" when describing scenarios where a collision is already inevitable; instead, focus on mitigating the damage or consequences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "avoiding a collision" functions as a noun phrase, specifically a gerund phrase. It acts as the subject or object of a sentence, denoting the act of preventing an impact. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

35%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "avoiding a collision" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to describe actions taken to prevent impacts or accidents. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correct and readily usable in written English. It frequently appears in news, scientific, and general contexts, denoting safety measures and risk management strategies. While semantically interchangeable with phrases like "preventing a crash" and "averting an accident", the choice depends on the specific emphasis desired. A crucial writing tip is to reserve the phrase for situations where impact prevention is the primary goal, not merely damage control after an incident becomes unavoidable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

preventing a crash

Focuses on the action of stopping a crash from occurring, rather than the continuous act of avoiding.

averting an accident

Highlights the successful prevention of an unforeseen event or mishap.

circumventing an impact

Emphasizes skillfully finding a way around a potential collision.

evading a smash

Suggests dodging or escaping a forceful impact.

dodging an incident

Implies quickly moving aside to avoid something unpleasant.

steering clear of a crash

Highlights the act of deliberately keeping away from a potential accident.

bypassing an encounter

Focuses on avoiding a direct confrontation or meeting.

forestalling an accident

Suggests taking preemptive measures to prevent an accident.

precluding a collision

Highlights the act of making a collision impossible.

warding off an impact

Emphasizes deflecting or protecting oneself from a potential collision.

FAQs

How can I use "avoiding a collision" in a sentence?

You can use "avoiding a collision" to describe actions taken to prevent impacts, such as "The pilot was praised for "avoiding a collision" with another aircraft".

What are some alternatives to "avoiding a collision"?

Alternatives include phrases like "preventing a crash", "averting an accident", or "steering clear of a crash", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "avoiding a collision" or "avoid a collision"?

"Avoiding a collision" (gerund form) typically functions as a noun phrase, while "avoid a collision" (infinitive form) functions as a verb phrase. For example: "His skill was crucial in "avoiding a collision"". vs. "He tried to "avoid a collision"".

What does it mean to have a collision avoidance system?

A collision avoidance system is a technology designed to help vehicles or other machines "avoid a collision", by detecting potential obstacles and automatically taking corrective actions or warning the operator.