bypasses

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "bypasses" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a verb meaning "to avoid or go around (something)". For example, "The hikers bypassed the swamp on the trail by taking an alternate route."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The road to Mecca funnels traffic into two lanes: the one marked "Muslims only" goes to the holy city; the other, marked "Non Muslims", bypasses it, since the latter – me included – are forbidden entry to Mecca (and Medina) under Saudi law.

The Guardian - Arts

In the case of Travers, the film bypasses her personal life.

The Guardian - Film

Provincial towns are littered with unnecessary bridges and bypasses.

The Economist

The trip from Hebron to Ramallah takes less than an hour along the bypasses built exclusively for Israeli settlers.

The Economist

"We don't do that shoe leather," says Mr Small.Like any online vendor Naked Wines bypasses middlemen and shares the savings with customers.

The Economist

Great to be here, the business secretary tells them, though I always have to remember that Lib Dems are in favour of bypasses in Eastbourne, but against them in Lewes (19 miles away).As part of my research, I went to Mr Clegg's constituency of Sheffield Hallam, a rare pocket of middle-class affluence on the moors above the otherwise solidly Labour city of Sheffield.

The Economist

Home-grown arteries do not, after all, involve the implantation of foreign tissue or substances.Either way, both technologies hold great promise for the hundreds of thousands of patients who are facing coronary bypasses, or even the loss of a limb due to deteriorating blood flow.

The Economist

But it adds integration with iMessage, Apple's worldwide text and multimedia messaging service that bypasses mobile carriers' text fees.

The Economist

Both are excited about the sort of activism they have found with CAG, which bypasses the traditional parties' youth wings.

The Economist

The Brothers' chief foreign-affairs spokesman, Essam Haddad, in effect bypasses the foreign ministry to conduct international relations.

The Economist

They say that the administration is racing in its final months to formalise in law programmes that have run solely under authorisation from the White House that bypasses Congress.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "bypasses", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being avoided or circumvented. This maintains clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

While "bypasses" is generally acceptable, in highly formal writing, consider more precise alternatives like "circumvents" or "obviates" to enhance the sophistication of your prose.

Linguistic Context

The word "bypasses" functions primarily as a verb, specifically the third-person singular present tense form. It describes the action of going around or avoiding something. Ludwig AI confirms this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bypasses" functions as a verb indicating the act of avoiding or circumventing something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently used, particularly in News & Media, Scientific, and Encyclopedia sources. While its register is generally neutral, more formal alternatives may be preferred in certain contexts. To enhance clarity, always ensure the context clearly indicates what is being avoided. Furthermore, to avoid ambiguity, writers should focus on clarity and choose the most precise alternative. "Bypasses" is a versatile term, essential for describing processes and strategies that deliberately avoid specific obstacles or procedures.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bypasses completely

This alternative emphasizes the completeness of the act of bypassing something.

circumvents

Implies finding a way around obstacles or rules in a clever or strategic manner.

skips

Suggests omitting or not dealing with something, often to save time or effort.

avoids

Indicates actively staying away from something, usually to prevent a negative outcome.

goes around

A more literal way of saying "bypasses", implying a physical or metaphorical detour.

gets around

Similar to "goes around" but can also suggest overcoming a problem or restriction.

navigates around

Suggests carefully maneuvering to avoid something, often a complex or challenging situation.

detours around

Emphasizes taking an alternative route to avoid an obstacle.

short-circuits

Implies finding a faster or more direct route, sometimes by unconventional means.

sidesteps

Suggests moving to the side to avoid something, often a difficult question or issue.

FAQs

How can I use "bypasses" in a sentence?

You can use "bypasses" to indicate avoiding something. For example, "The new highway "bypasses the city center", reducing traffic congestion".

What are some alternatives to the word "bypasses"?

Depending on the context, you could use "circumvents", "avoids", or "skips" as alternatives to "bypasses".

Is it correct to say "the system bypasses security checks"?

Yes, it is correct. The sentence "The system "bypasses security checks"" means that the system avoids or circumvents the usual security procedures.

What's the difference between "bypasses" and "ignores"?

"Bypasses" implies finding a way around something, while "ignores" means to pay no attention to something. For instance, "The software "bypasses the firewall"" suggests it circumvents it, whereas "The manager ignores the complaints" means they don't address them.