came to avoid

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "came to avoid" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something arrived at a situation or place in order to prevent or evade something. Example: "He came to avoid the chaos that was unfolding at the party."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Although Graham came to avoid political pronouncements, his orientation early on reflected the conservatism of his native region.

The New Yorker

When Dingo asks Billy why he scaled back his career and came to avoid the media spotlight, Davis responds: "I reached for a beer in Munich and my head just kept going down and down and down and down.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The defence minister described Australian defence forces as "one of the most restrictive" when it came to avoiding civilian casualties.

The Guardian

He said Australian defence forces were "one of the most restrictive" when it came to avoiding civilian casualties.

The Guardian

This time, however, a substitution did not change the game, and late on Jose Fonte heading against the crossbar, and Virgil van Dijk heading against the post, were the closest they came to avoiding a third successive defeat.

Independent

They're not coming to avoid taxes".

The New York Times

Motorcyclists savor the curvy roads through the rocky hills, and Europeans come to avoid cold winters and pretend to be Texans for a while.

The New York Times

I will come to avoid places, objects, songs, and people for no reason because I think that, by engaging with them, something bad will happen.

Vice

Check when trains come, to avoid being struck.

WikiHow

Public attitudes about what is fair when it comes to avoiding taxes are hardening.

The New York Times

Men face a Catch-22 when it comes to avoiding the stigma of pallid, unsightly legs.

The New York Times - Style

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "came to avoid" when you want to emphasize that someone's arrival was motivated by the intention to prevent or escape something specific.

Common error

Avoid using "came to avoid" in situations where a more direct verb would be clearer. For example, instead of "The issue came to be avoided," consider "The issue was avoided" to maintain conciseness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "came to avoid" functions as an infinitive of purpose, modifying a verb of motion (implied or stated). It indicates the reason or intention behind the action of coming or arriving. Ludwig provides examples where this phrase clarifies the motive behind someone's actions.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

16%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "came to avoid" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express the intention behind an arrival or appearance, usually to prevent something negative. Although Ludwig AI finds it less frequent than other similar expressions, it is suitable for various contexts, with a slightly higher prevalence in news and media. When using the phrase, ensure clarity in expressing the motive behind the action, avoiding overly passive constructions. Ludwig’s analysis emphasizes its role as an infinitive of purpose, adding a clear reason for action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

arrived to evade

Focuses on the act of evasion upon arrival, slightly emphasizing the immediate action taken.

appeared to dodge

Implies a more active and skillful attempt to avoid something, adding a nuance of agility.

showed up to circumvent

Highlights the intention to bypass or outsmart a problem or obstacle upon arrival.

materialized to avert

Suggests a sudden appearance with the specific goal of preventing something negative.

presented oneself to sidestep

Emphasizes a deliberate and strategic maneuver to avoid an issue.

made an appearance to preclude

Highlights the effort to prevent something before it happens.

turned up to forestall

Focuses on proactively hindering an event by arriving in time.

reported to deter

Suggests arrival with the purpose of discouraging or preventing an action.

surfaced to evade

Emphasizes emergence with the specific intention of evading a particular situation or entity.

checked in to skirt

Suggests a brief or formal appearance with the intent to carefully avoid an issue.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "came to avoid" in a sentence?

You can use alternatives like "arrived to evade", "appeared to dodge", or "showed up to circumvent" depending on the context.

Is "came to avoid" formal or informal?

The phrase "came to avoid" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it's less common in very formal writing.

What does "came to avoid" imply?

It implies that the primary reason for someone's arrival or presence was to prevent something undesirable from happening or to escape a specific situation.

Can "came to avoid" be used with any verb?

While versatile, "came to avoid" is best paired with verbs that describe situations or events one would actively try to prevent, such as "came to avoid conflict" or "came to avoid the storm".