avoiding making

USAGE SUMMARY

"avoiding making" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express the idea of refraining from doing something. For example, "He avoided making any further comments, not wanting to further embarrass himself."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Noah himself is wisely and respectfully avoiding making grand predictions.

The New York Times - Sports

He again said he had been avoiding making a tough call on its future.

The New York Times

What they are getting credit for is avoiding making any effort".

The New York Times

A friend who is also good at avoiding making any sudden movements would be ideal.

The New Yorker

"I was avoiding making the film because I didn't like the character," he said.

The New York Times

THE DEBATES Part of controlling the message is avoiding making a critical mistake during the debates next month.

The New York Times

"It was a way of avoiding making waves," said Mr. Thorne, who became the corporation's top diversity officer last year.

The New York Times

5.06pm: He's avoiding making any cheap shots at the previous administration's role in getting us into the mess.

The Guardian

M. Venizelos' speech was delivered in measured terms, and, while avoiding making any straightforward declaration, he recognized, in fact, that Greece and Crete are henceforth united.

The New York Times

The gulf sale will be the first in 21 months, avoiding making 2011 the first year since 1958 that a lease sale has not been held.

The New York Times

They had already been manufactured and were available, so this saved time, saved budget and it saved carbon by avoiding making new material.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for conciseness, replace "avoiding making" with a single verb like "skipping" or "bypassing" if the context allows.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "avoiding making" can sound repetitive in formal writing. Opt for stronger verbs like "preventing", "omitting", or "bypassing" to enhance clarity and sophistication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "avoiding making" functions primarily as a gerund phrase, acting as a noun. It describes the act of refraining from a specific action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Wiki

21%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "avoiding making" is a versatile and frequently used gerund phrase that expresses the act of refraining from a particular action. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It is commonly found in News & Media, Wiki, and Science contexts. While generally neutral in register, it's beneficial to consider stronger verb choices like "preventing", "omitting", or "bypassing" for enhanced clarity in formal writing. Understanding these nuances ensures effective and impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

refraining from making

Emphasizes a deliberate act of holding back.

abstaining from creating

Highlights a conscious decision not to produce something.

forgoing the creation of

Implies a sacrifice or deliberate omission.

steering clear of producing

Suggests caution and a desire to prevent potential issues.

shunning the act of making

Indicates a strong aversion or rejection of the action.

bypassing the creation process

Focuses on circumventing or skipping the process of making.

dodging the making of

Suggests cleverly avoiding the action.

circumventing the production of

Implies finding a way around the need to produce something.

eluding the formation of

Highlights the act of escaping or preventing formation.

evading the generation of

Focuses on escaping or preventing the generation of something.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "avoiding making" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "refraining from making", "abstaining from creating", or "forgoing the creation of" depending on the specific context.

What's a simple substitute for "avoiding making"?

Depending on the context, you can often use simpler verbs like "skipping", "bypassing", or "omitting" as direct replacements for "avoiding making".

Is it ever incorrect to use "avoiding making"?

While grammatically correct, "avoiding making" can sometimes sound awkward if a more direct verb offers a clearer and more concise meaning. Always consider whether a single, stronger verb would be more effective.

What's the difference between "avoiding making" and "preventing making"?

"Avoiding making" implies a conscious effort to steer clear of a particular action or outcome. "Preventing making", on the other hand, suggests taking active steps to ensure something does not happen. The choice depends on whether the emphasis is on evasion or active intervention.