be averted from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be averted from" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It can be used when discussing the act of preventing someone or something from engaging in a particular action or direction. Example: "The committee aims to ensure that potential conflicts of interest are averted from influencing the decision-making process."

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Aficionados everywhere will recognise the charm of clubs where everyone seems to know each other and the eyes must be averted from the aimless agricultural clearance in the wait for the bursts of proper football that the best non-League clubs try to encourage.

The Guardian - Sport

The New Yorker, February 20 , 1960P. 33 It occurred to us, while were tidying our desk in connection with our 35th anniversary, that one of this country's most up-to-date dead movelist might have remarked in an after-dinner speech about now that this here is the travelingest, writingest, and readingest country the eyes of mankind ever had to be averted from.

The New Yorker

It occurred to us, while were tidying our desk in connection with our 35th anniversary, that one of this country's most up-to-date dead movelist might have remarked in an after-dinner speech about now that this here is the travelingest, writingest, and readingest country the eyes of mankind ever had to be averted from.

The New Yorker

By St. Clair McKelway The New Yorker, February 20 , 1960P. 33 It occurred to us, while were tidying our desk in connection with our 35th anniversary, that one of this country's most up-to-date dead movelist might have remarked in an after-dinner speech about now that this here is the travelingest, writingest, and readingest country the eyes of mankind ever had to be averted from.

The New Yorker

Also, I'm terribly amused by this whole premise, that Dave Weigel's resignation from the Post actually caused anyone's gaze to be averted from the midterms.

Huffington Post

Eyes will have to be averted from the sensitive Israeli-Palestinian motive even more than from torture, which most Americans know about (and, God help us, are willing to explain away).

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

His gaze was averted from the camera.

The New Yorker

I think our eyes have been averted from the capital/labor dimension of inequality, for several reasons.

The New York Times

Eyes are averted from the slums and instead rest upon his promises to toss environmental and labour laws in the dustbin.

The Guardian - Opinion

If 100% of patients requiring OAD-therapy receive it, 197,000 years of life are saved and 25,000 death cases are averted from 2008 to 2028.

Health Economics Review

Similarly with trust: if I truly trust my mother in certain domains, my attention falls on those aspects of her that justify my trust and is averted from evidence that suggests she is untrustworthy in these domains (Baker 1987).

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be averted from", ensure the context clearly indicates prevention or redirection. Consider whether simpler alternatives like "prevented from" or "avoided" might improve clarity.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "be averted from" can sound overly formal or stilted in some contexts. In less formal writing, choose a more direct and common alternative, such as "prevent" or "avoid".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be averted from" functions as a passive construction indicating that something is being prevented or redirected. Ludwig examples show its usage in diverse contexts, highlighting preventative action.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be averted from" suggests prevention or redirection, finding use across news, scientific, and formal contexts. While grammatically sound, it's less common than alternatives like "prevented from" or "avoided". As Ludwig AI indicates, consider clarity and audience when selecting this phrase, as simpler options often offer greater impact. It appears more frequently in formal registers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be prevented from

Emphasizes the act of stopping something from occurring, focusing on the prevention aspect.

be avoided

Focuses on circumventing or steering clear of something undesirable.

be diverted from

Highlights the redirection of something from its original path or purpose.

be turned away from

Implies a deliberate rejection or deflection from a particular course.

be shielded from

Suggests protection from something harmful or unwanted.

be kept from

Indicates withholding or restraining something from reaching a destination or person.

be steered clear of

Focuses on consciously maintaining a distance from something.

be deflected from

Highlights the action of causing something to change direction, often used in a more technical sense.

be spared from

Suggests being exempt from something unpleasant or difficult.

be excused from

Implies being released from an obligation or duty.

FAQs

What does "be averted from" mean?

The phrase "be averted from" means that something is prevented or turned away from a particular course, direction, or consequence.

How can I use "be averted from" in a sentence?

Use "be averted from" when you want to emphasize that something was successfully prevented or redirected. For example, "Disaster was "averted" thanks to their quick actions."

What are some alternatives to "be averted from"?

Alternatives include "be prevented from", "be avoided", or "be diverted from", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "be averted from" or "be prevented from"?

"Be prevented from" is generally more common and direct. "Be averted from" can sound more formal or less natural, so consider your audience and context when choosing between them.