avoiding doing something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "avoiding doing something" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing the act of steering clear of a particular action or task. Example: She is avoiding doing her homework until the last minute. Alternative expressions include "steering clear of" and "shunning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Or is the reflexive checking a way of avoiding doing something else?

The New York Times

Visualise that moment and then just get on and do whatever it is you need to do! Overcome your programming Very often the reason we are avoiding doing something is because of some inner programming.

Huffington Post

If the answer is "looking at this blog because I have a) nothing to do, b) nothing better to do or c) avoiding doing something that I don't want to do" then we might be able to help you out.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Trying to avoid doing something?

Britannica

Mr. Nasr said he did not see how they could avoid doing something French.

The New York Times - Food

Well, mainly because I was trying to avoid doing something else.

The Guardian - Money

With practice, you'll start to notice when you're just doing something to avoid doing something else.

Harvard Business Review

But now it is invoked less often as an excuse to avoid doing something that would otherwise make sense.

The Economist

"Perot put the deficit on the agenda in a way that made it virtually impossible for whoever won to avoid doing something about it," he said.

The New York Times - Arts

Perhaps his books are intended as mere warning signs for readers to avoid doing something so foolish and unsatisfying as composing a manuscript.

The New Yorker

But when I reached a certain point, it seemed like a bad reason to avoid doing something that was interesting to me.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "avoiding doing something" to clearly express the intention to evade or prevent a specific action. It is particularly useful when discussing procrastination, strategic evasion, or risk management.

Common error

While "avoiding doing something" is valid, overuse can make your writing monotonous. Vary your language by using synonyms like "evading", "bypassing", or "steering clear of" to add nuance and maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "avoiding doing something" functions as a gerund phrase, where "avoiding" acts as a verb and "doing something" functions as its object. It describes the action of evading or preventing a particular action, as shown in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Wiki

24%

Science

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "avoiding doing something" is a grammatically sound and commonly used gerund phrase that effectively conveys the act of evading or preventing a specific action. As Ludwig AI confirms, its use spans various contexts, from news and media to encyclopedias and scientific publications. While versatile, it's advisable to vary your phrasing with alternatives such as "evading an action" or "bypassing an action" to maintain writing engagement. Be mindful of the surrounding context to ensure the tone is appropriate, whether formal or informal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

evading an action

Focuses on the act of escaping or dodging the execution of something.

shirking responsibility

Implies neglecting or failing to fulfill a duty or obligation.

evading responsibility

Highlights the act of escaping accountability for something.

dodging a task

Suggests a quick or clever way of avoiding a specific task.

steering clear of something

Indicates a conscious effort to stay away from a particular issue or action.

sidestepping an action

Suggests a deliberate move to avoid confronting or engaging in an action.

circumventing an activity

Indicates finding a way around or bypassing an activity.

bypassing an action

Emphasizes going around or ignoring a particular action.

keeping away from something

Focuses on maintaining distance from a particular action or situation.

abstaining from an activity

Suggests voluntarily refraining from participating in an activity.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "avoiding doing something" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "evading an action" or "circumventing an activity". These options often fit better in professional or academic contexts.

When is it appropriate to use "avoiding doing something"?

It's appropriate when you want to describe the act of deliberately preventing or evading a specific action, whether due to fear, strategy, or personal preference. Context is key in determining its suitability.

What are some common reasons people end up "avoiding doing something"?

People might "avoid doing something" due to fear of failure, lack of motivation, time constraints, or the unpleasantness of the task. Procrastination is often a key factor.

What's the difference between "avoiding doing something" and "procrastinating on something"?

"Avoiding doing something" is a broader term that encompasses any reason for not doing something, while "procrastinating on something" specifically refers to delaying a task, often due to psychological or emotional reasons.