been avoided with a

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "been avoided with a" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to convey that something has been prevented or evaded through a specific means, but the structure is awkward and unclear. Example: "The issue has been avoided with a careful strategy to mitigate risks."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

The dramatics could have been avoided with a simpler approach.

The New York Times - Sports

The pope suggested that the controversy over Bishop Richard Williamson could have been avoided with a simple Internet search.

The Washington Post

Mr. Brown chalked it up to a communication breakdown that could have been avoided with a face-to-face chat.

The New York Times

Everything that happens to George and Ann could have been avoided with a pair of Dobermans, or an underfed Scottish terrier with a working knowledge of Nietzsche.

The New Yorker

"Their abuse should have been avoided with a bare minimum of responsibility and compassion for the children in their charge," Mr. Mulhearn said in an interview on Monday.

The New York Times

This is hugely inefficient, because pricey late interventions and operations could very often have been avoided with a much smaller investment in preventive care.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

If you're working on leadership, you might leave with the directive to have that tough conversation you've been avoiding with a subordinate.

The New York Times

These problems are avoided with a parameter-free code.

Stanford University

This can be avoided with a little humor or style.

Harvard Business Review

Most hoaxes can be avoided with a few Internet searches and a sharp eye.

The Washington Post

A meltdown, though, was avoided, with a gusher of federal money playing an essential role in the rescue.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Opt for stronger and more direct phrasing. Instead of "been avoided with a", consider alternatives like "prevented by", "averted through", or "circumvented using" for clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid unnecessary passive voice constructions. Phrases like "been avoided with a" can often be simplified to active voice, making your writing more concise and direct. For example, instead of "the problem could have been avoided with a better plan", write "a better plan could have avoided the problem".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "been avoided with a" functions as part of a passive construction, indicating that something undesirable was successfully evaded or prevented. As Ludwig AI indicates, this construction is grammatically awkward and less direct than active voice alternatives.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

32%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "been avoided with a" appears in various sources including news, science, and academic publications, Ludwig AI marks it as not correct in standard written English. It's a grammatically awkward passive construction which can be improved by using more direct and active voice phrasing, such as "prevented by", "averted through", or "circumvented using". Opting for these alternatives enhances clarity and strengthens your writing. Although it is commonly used, it is better to use a valid alternative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

been prevented by a

Focuses on proactive prevention, emphasizing the action that stopped something from happening.

been averted through a

Highlights the successful deflection or avoidance of a negative outcome, using 'through' to emphasize the method.

been circumvented using a

Emphasizes cleverly finding a way around a problem or obstacle, indicating resourcefulness.

been evaded via a

Suggests skillfully escaping or dodging something, often implying a strategic maneuver.

been forestalled by a

Indicates taking action to prevent something from happening in advance, stressing anticipation.

been precluded with a

Focuses on making something impossible beforehand, highlighting decisiveness.

been mitigated through a

Highlights reducing the severity or impact of something, emphasizing damage control.

been sidestepped with a

Suggests skillfully avoiding an issue without directly confronting it, implying tact or diplomacy.

has been guarded against by a

Emphasizes protective measures taken to prevent something undesirable, stressing vigilance.

was deflected by a

Highlights the action of turning something aside, often an attack or criticism.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to the phrase "been avoided with a"?

Consider using phrases like "been prevented by a", "been averted through a", or "been circumvented using a" for clearer and more direct communication.

Why is "been avoided with a" considered grammatically awkward?

The phrasing is wordy and doesn't clearly convey the intended meaning. More concise options typically result in better readability and impact.

In what contexts might I want to avoid using "been avoided with a"?

In formal writing, academic papers, and professional communications, opt for more precise and grammatically standard alternatives. While the phrase might appear in some news articles or general content, it's generally better to use stronger phrasing for clarity.

How can I rephrase a sentence using "been avoided with a" to make it more effective?

Identify the key action and use a more direct verb. For example, instead of "the error could have been avoided with a thorough review", try "a thorough review could have prevented the error".