but preventing that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but preventing that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing actions taken to stop or hinder a specific outcome or situation from occurring. Example: "We need to address the issue at hand, but preventing that from escalating is our top priority."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Mcs6, the other essential CDK activated by Csk1, requires T-loop phosphorylation for full activity [12], [19], but preventing that phosphorylation did not impair survival of UV-irradiation.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

It's about preventing that".

The New Yorker

The pores of the high permeability membranes allow the passage of plasma but prevent that of blood cells.

Diálisis y Trasplante

But abortion prevents that, thus leaving a woman exposed to such massive doses of unopposed estrogen that even one abortion measurably increases her breast cancer risk.

The New York Times

The only interference that we could have had was the Morse code playing loudly on the speakers, but to prevent that, we used earphones as means of outputting sounds.

Cornell University

But Perez helped prevent that, and two victories later, the Mets appear a changed team.

The New York Times - Sports

"His talent should have seen that he became a regular for England, but injuries have prevented that, which is a shame for him".

BBC

Yes, but it helps prevent that telltale freezer flavor.

HuffPost

However, glibenclamide significantly reduced the antihyperalgesic effect of dipyrone but failed to prevent that of MECM although an effect was observed at the 4th hour (Fig.  3c).

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

But Peña 's hit prevented that ugly possibility.

The New York Times - Sports

"Voluntary action and education can help prevent that, but we need regulation too.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "but preventing that", ensure the context clearly identifies what "that" refers to. Ambiguity can confuse the reader.

Common error

Avoid constructing sentences where the actor preventing the action is unclear. Instead of "but preventing that was difficult", specify who or what was doing the preventing: "but preventing that required significant resources."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but preventing that" functions as a conjunctive phrase, linking two contrasting ideas. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct, indicating its suitability for use in various contexts. It commonly introduces a hindrance or obstacle to a previously mentioned action or outcome.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

23%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "but preventing that" functions as a conjunctive phrase, linking contrasting ideas and introducing an obstacle or hindrance. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. Common in News & Media, Science, and Academia, this phrase serves to highlight challenges or explain why expected outcomes didn't materialize. When using this phrase, clarity is key; ensure the context clearly identifies what "that" refers to, and avoid passive constructions where the preventer is unspecified. Alternatives like "but averting that" and "but avoiding that" offer similar meanings for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but averting that

Focuses on avoiding a negative outcome, similar to preventing.

but avoiding that

Highlights the act of steering clear of something.

but precluding that

Emphasizes making something impossible or preventing it from happening.

but stopping that

Directly indicates halting something in progress.

but hindering that

Suggests obstructing or delaying something.

but forestalling that

Highlights acting in advance to prevent something.

but blocking that

Implies creating an obstacle to prevent something.

but impeding that

Focuses on slowing down or hindering progress.

but counteracting that

Suggests acting against something to neutralize its effects.

but negating that

Emphasizes rendering something ineffective or nullifying it.

FAQs

How can I use "but preventing that" in a sentence?

This phrase is used to introduce a contrasting element that hinders a previously mentioned action or outcome. For example: "The company aimed to expand its market share, but preventing that was the strong competition".

What are some alternatives to "but preventing that"?

You can use alternatives like "but averting that", "but avoiding that", or "but stopping that" depending on the specific context.

Is it always necessary to use "but" before "preventing that"?

The conjunction "but" introduces a contrast or exception. While not always mandatory, it often clarifies the relationship between the preceding statement and the act of prevention. Removing it may require rephrasing for clarity.

What is the difference between "but preventing that" and "but to prevent that"?

"But preventing that" is concise and emphasizes the act of prevention itself, while "but to prevent that" is more formal and highlights the purpose of preventing something. The choice depends on the desired emphasis and tone.