by avoiding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by avoiding" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a method or means of preventing something from happening or to express a way to achieve a goal through avoidance. Example: "You can improve your health by avoiding processed foods and sugary drinks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He's rewarded by avoiding serious trouble.

The Guardian - Sport

Reduces costs by avoiding duplicate data collection efforts.

Yale University

Health rationale slogan: Stay healthy by avoiding modern, processed foods.

Stanford University

By avoiding the problem you are the problem.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

By avoiding the upset, Davenport ducked the mayhem today.

The New York Times - Sports

So you can go bust by avoiding a bubble.

The New Yorker

Eros seeks survival by avoiding "unpleasure" and threats to life.

The Guardian - Books

I cooled off the situation by avoiding his further comments.

The New York Times

We will not achieve it by avoiding talk about politics.

The New Yorker

The companies save money this way by avoiding union rates.

The New York Times

You cannot get better at making predictions by avoiding them.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by avoiding" to clearly indicate a method of preventing negative outcomes or achieving goals through conscious omission. This construction works well when providing advice or outlining strategies.

Common error

Avoid using "by avoiding" when the desired outcome requires active participation or engagement. For instance, you can't improve your social skills "by avoiding" social situations; active interaction is necessary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by avoiding" functions as a prepositional phrase acting as an adverbial modifier. It indicates the means or method through which an action or outcome is achieved, as shown in Ludwig's examples like 'He's rewarded by avoiding serious trouble'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

30%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "by avoiding" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to describe a method of preventing something negative or achieving a positive outcome. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and commonly used. As noted by Ludwig, it appears frequently in diverse contexts, including News & Media and scientific publications, showing its broad applicability. When using "by avoiding", ensure that the action being avoided directly contributes to the desired result and that the context is appropriate for a neutral tone. Considering alternatives such as "through evasion" or "by steering clear of" can add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

through evasion

Focuses on actively escaping or eluding something, suggesting a more deliberate act than simply avoiding.

by steering clear of

Emphasizes maintaining a distance from something, often implying potential danger or unpleasantness.

by refraining from

Highlights the act of deliberately holding back from doing something.

by preventing

Shifts the focus to the action of stopping something from happening, rather than the act of avoiding.

by circumventing

Suggests finding a way around something, often implying a challenge or obstacle.

by eliminating

Indicates the removal of something entirely to prevent a negative outcome.

through abstinence

Implies a conscious decision to withhold oneself from something, often related to health or moral reasons.

via non-participation

Focuses on choosing not to engage in something as a means of avoiding a particular consequence.

by dodging

Implies a quick or skillful movement to evade something, often something unpleasant or dangerous.

through preclusion

Suggests making something impossible or preventing it from happening in advance.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "by avoiding" in a sentence?

You can replace "by avoiding" with phrases like "through evasion", "by steering clear of", or "by refraining from" to offer different nuances.

Is it always best to use "by avoiding" when trying to prevent something?

While "by avoiding" is a useful construction, sometimes a more direct approach like "by preventing" or "by eliminating" might be clearer, especially when outlining concrete steps.

What's the difference between saying "by avoiding" and "through avoidance"?

"By avoiding" emphasizes the action of avoiding, while "through avoidance" focuses on avoidance as a process or method. The choice depends on whether you want to highlight the verb or the concept.

Can "by avoiding" be used in formal and informal writing?

"By avoiding" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, for very formal writing, consider alternatives such as "via non-participation" or "through preclusion".