avoiding trying to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "avoiding trying to" is not correct and can lead to confusion in written English.
It is generally used when discussing the act of not attempting something, but the construction is awkward and redundant. Example: "She is avoiding trying to finish the project on time, which is causing delays."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Still, many IPO market watchers recommend avoiding trying to get in too early.

Forbes

You have a driver who appears to be avoiding trying to give you information, has alcohol sitting down by his leg, and then is refusing to get out and appears to be trying to flee.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

She has purposely avoided trying to look the part.

Independent

They have deliberately avoided trying to do the same thing as Wal-Mart.

The Economist

Camus recommends that we avoid trying to resolve them.

SEP

Most avoid trying to be specific when asked for prognostic information, particularly if generalists compared with specialists.

Cancer Management and Research

This may prevent damage to the fence as the deer will avoid trying to penetrate it.

WikiHow

Write down important key lines; avoid trying to remember everything at once.

WikiHow

Avoid trying to correct behaviors.

Huffington Post

Avoid trying to anticipate what she is going to say.

HuffPost

Avoid trying to center yourself.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When intending to convey the idea of not making an effort, use simpler and clearer phrasing like "avoiding the attempt to" or "not attempting to".

Common error

Avoid using "avoiding trying to" because it's often wordy. Instead, opt for more concise alternatives. For instance, instead of "avoiding trying to fail", use "avoiding failure".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "avoiding trying to" functions as a gerund phrase, where "avoiding" is the gerund acting as a noun. It indicates the act of evading or preventing a certain effort or attempt. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is not correct and can lead to confusion in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Wiki

37%

News & Media

33%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "avoiding trying to" expresses the act of evading or preventing an attempt. While understandable, Ludwig AI classifies this phrase as not correct and may lead to confusion. Its grammatical awkwardness and redundancy suggest that simpler, more direct alternatives are preferable. Usage analysis indicates that it appears in various contexts, from informal Wiki content to news media. When writing, opting for concise alternatives such as "avoiding the attempt to" or "not attempting to" can improve clarity and readability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

avoiding attempting to

Uses "attempting" instead of "trying", providing a slightly more formal tone but maintaining the core meaning.

refraining from trying to

Adds emphasis on deliberate restraint from making an effort.

abstaining from trying to

Implies a more disciplined or moral avoidance of an attempt.

evading an attempt to

Focuses on dodging or escaping the necessity of making an effort.

shunning the attempt to

Suggests a strong aversion to the effort of trying.

circumventing the need to try

Highlights bypassing or outmaneuvering a situation where effort is needed.

bypassing the effort of trying

Emphasizes skipping or avoiding the work involved in an attempt.

forgoing an attempt to

Formally relinquishes the option of trying.

not bothering to try

Indicates a lack of interest or motivation to make an attempt.

skipping the attempt to

Suggests quickly passing over or ignoring the need to try.

FAQs

What does "avoiding trying to" mean?

The phrase "avoiding trying to" describes the act of not attempting something. However, the construction is often redundant and can be simplified for clarity.

What can I say instead of "avoiding trying to"?

You can use alternatives like "avoiding attempting to", "refraining from trying to", or "not attempting to" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "avoiding trying to"?

While understandable, "avoiding trying to" is considered grammatically awkward by Ludwig. Simpler and more direct phrasing is generally preferred.

How can I improve my sentence that includes "avoiding trying to"?

Consider replacing the phrase with a more concise alternative that maintains the intended meaning. For example, instead of "avoiding trying to make mistakes", you could say "avoiding mistakes".