be avoided

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be avoided" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing actions, behaviors, or situations that should not occur or be engaged in. Example: "In order to maintain a healthy lifestyle, processed foods should be avoided."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Pacifiers should be avoided.

The New York Times

Should glucocorticoids be avoided?

The New York Times

Violence should be avoided.

The New Yorker

It cannot be avoided.

The New Yorker

Can that collapse be avoided?

The New York Times

Otherwise, it should be avoided.

Independent

How can this be avoided?

The New Yorker

A cliché to be avoided.

The New York Times

Why couldn't war be avoided?

The New Yorker

The issues can't be avoided.

The New York Times - Books

But it can be avoided.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be avoided" when providing recommendations or guidelines on actions or behaviors to refrain from in order to achieve a positive outcome or prevent a negative consequence.

Common error

Avoid using "be avoided" in active voice constructions. It's a passive construction, so ensure the subject is the recipient of the action, not the actor. Instead of saying "Avoid be avoided" use alternatives like "evade" or "shun".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "be avoided" is to express a recommendation or necessity to refrain from something. It is a passive construction, indicating that the subject is the recipient of the action of avoiding. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Wiki

31%

Science

27%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be avoided" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that conveys the need to refrain from certain actions or situations. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is correct and usable in written English. As evidenced by the numerous examples across various domains such as news, science and wiki, "be avoided" serves to advise, warn, or instruct. While versatile, it's crucial to use it in passive constructions and consider context when choosing among alternatives such as "must be shunned" or "ought to be prevented".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should be evaded

Emphasizes escaping or eluding something, focusing on skillful avoidance.

is to be evaded

Highlights the necessity of eluding something.

must be shunned

Suggests a strong rejection or deliberate avoidance due to moral or ethical reasons.

ought to be prevented

Highlights the need to proactively stop something from happening.

is to be prevented

Highlights the necessity of stopping something.

needs to be circumvented

Implies finding a way around an obstacle or problem.

needs to be sidestepped

Implies moving laterally to avoid an issue.

should be steered clear of

Focuses on maintaining a safe distance from something potentially harmful or undesirable.

has to be dodged

Indicates a quick or agile movement to avoid something.

should be given a wide berth

Emphasizes the importance of keeping a considerable distance for safety or comfort.

FAQs

How can I use "be avoided" in a sentence?

The phrase "be avoided" is used to indicate something that should be refrained from. For example, "Conflicts should "be avoided" whenever possible to maintain a positive work environment".

What are some alternatives to "be avoided"?

You can use phrases such as "should be evaded", "must be shunned", or "ought to be prevented" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "avoid something" or "something should be avoided"?

Both are correct, but "avoid something" is active, while "something should "be avoided"" is passive. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the actor or the action.

What is the nuance between "be avoided" and "be prevented"?

"Be avoided" suggests steering clear of something, while "be prevented" implies stopping something from happening. For example, "Misunderstandings should "be avoided"", and "Accidents should "be prevented"".