avoiding mistakes

USAGE SUMMARY

"avoiding mistakes" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It can be used as a verb phrase (present participle) or a noun phrase, and it is used to describe the act of preventing or staying away from making errors or blunders. Some examples of how "avoiding mistakes" can be used in a sentence are: - As a verb phrase: - "She is focusing on avoiding mistakes in her essay by carefully proofreading it." - "To succeed in this job, you must be diligent in avoiding mistakes and paying attention to details." - "The coach emphasizes the importance of avoiding mistakes on the field during the game." - As a noun phrase: - "Avoiding mistakes is crucial in achieving success." - "The company's training program aims to teach employees about avoiding mistakes in customer service." - "The chef's attention to detail and commitment to avoiding mistakes has earned him a Michelin star."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

As important as scoring points will be avoiding mistakes.

The New York Times

Defensive medicine is rooted in the goal of avoiding mistakes.

The New York Times

During summer training under her new coach, Rudi Huber, Gut focused on avoiding mistakes.

The New York Times - Sports

In addition, she offered a practical argument for a review outside the executive branch: avoiding mistakes.

The New York Times

He has made a career of avoiding mistakes, especially public ones.

The New Yorker

"To me, it's a matter of avoiding mistakes," Mr. Gunn added.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

It's an approach--planning well, working hard and efficiently, and avoiding mistakes--that has served him well in his own career.

Science Magazine

Recognizing such tendencies may be important in avoiding mistaken impressions.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

They are avoiding mistake Nos. 1 and 2 that Webvan made.

TechCrunch

"You have to avoid mistakes".

The New York Times - Sports

But quarterback Alex Smith avoided mistakes, throwing only five interceptions.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair the phrase with strong verbs like "focusing on", "prioritizing", or "obsessed with" to indicate the level of commitment to accuracy.

Common error

Do not use "avoiding mistakes" when you actually mean "fixing" or "remedying" them. Avoiding refers to the proactive phase of prevention; once a mistake has occurred, you are no longer avoiding it, but rather "correcting errors" or "mitigating damage".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "avoiding mistakes" functions as a gerund phrase, acting as a noun in various syntactic positions. In the examples provided by Ludwig, it frequently serves as the object of a preposition (e.g., "focus on avoiding mistakes") or as the subject of a clause (e.g., "Avoiding mistakes is important"). Ludwig AI confirms its versatility in both active and passive constructions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "avoiding mistakes" is a highly effective and grammatically correct way to describe a focus on precision and risk mitigation. According to Ludwig AI and the analyzed data, it is a common expression used across diverse fields such as sports, medicine, and politics. It functions primarily as a gerund phrase and is found in the highest-quality sources, including The New York Times and The Guardian. While it is synonymous with "preventing errors", it carries a stronger connotation of strategic caution and reliability. Writers should use it to signal a commitment to high standards and defensive excellence in professional or academic contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

preventing errors

More technical and commonly used in data processing or scientific contexts.

minimizing oversights

Suggests a focus on detail and reducing small, unintentional misses.

precluding lapses

A very formal alternative suggesting the prevention of a failure in concentration.

circumventing blunders

Implies a strategic effort to navigate around large or embarrassing errors.

averting gaffes

Specifically refers to avoiding social or political mistakes.

sidestepping pitfalls

Metaphorical phrase used when discussing potential hidden dangers or traps.

steering clear of faults

A more general, slightly informal way to express avoidance of defects or errors.

forestalling slips

Focuses on preventing minor mistakes before they happen.

shunning inaccuracies

Emphasizes a strict adherence to truth or precise data.

dodging mishaps

More informal, often referring to physical or accidental misfortune.

FAQs

How to use "avoiding mistakes" in a sentence?

You can use it as a subject or object. For example: "Avoiding mistakes is the key to winning the championship," or "The team is dedicated to avoiding mistakes during the final phase."

What can I say instead of "avoiding mistakes"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "preventing errors", "minimizing risks", or "sidestepping pitfalls".

Is "avoiding mistakes" grammatically correct?

Yes, it is a standard and correct gerund phrase in English, widely used in professional and academic writing as shown in Ludwig examples.

What is the difference between "avoiding mistakes" and "learning from mistakes"?

"Avoiding mistakes" is a proactive measure to prevent an error from happening, whereas "learning from mistakes" is a reactive process that happens after an error has already occurred.