could have averted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could have averted" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express that a certain action or decision might have prevented a negative outcome in the past. Example: "The accident could have been averted if the driver had followed the traffic signals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

In an incident that could have averted the massacre, police stopped the truck for speeding.

Independent

He could have averted the disaster by spinning the crane around, Mr. Aidala said.

The New York Times

Wall Street bankers could have averted the global financial crisis, so why didn't they?

The Guardian

It might be that nothing could have averted the terrible tragedy that befell the Petit family.

The New York Times

If we had understood that to be the case, we would have -- perhaps one could have averted this.

The New York Times

But he also acknowledges that the Bruins failed to identify homegrown talent that could have averted a slide that included a 14-18 record last season.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

Could Europe have averted this bailout?

The New York Times

A better system could possibly have averted the crash or, more likely, enabled government and private institutions to handle it far better.

Forbes

Could I have averted this crisis by acting wiser, more patient and more vigilant?

Huffington Post

'What could I have done to have averted this?' Then put that into action.

WikiHow

If they had been, this calamity could have been averted.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "could have averted" to express that a specific action or measure had the potential to prevent a negative outcome. Ensure the context clearly indicates what action and outcome are being discussed.

Common error

Avoid using "could have averted" when it's clear that no action could have changed the outcome. Ensure there was a reasonable possibility of prevention.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could have averted" functions as a modal construction expressing a hypothetical past possibility. It indicates that a specific action or intervention had the potential to prevent a particular negative outcome from occurring. Ludwig AI affirms its correct usage and provides examples across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

84%

Science

10%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "could have averted" is a grammatically correct and frequently used modal construction that expresses a hypothetical past possibility. According to Ludwig AI, it is often used to analyze past events and suggest alternative actions that might have changed the course of events. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, from formal news reporting to informal discussions. The phrase is most commonly found in "News & Media", followed by "Science". When using "could have averted", ensure that the context clearly indicates the action and outcome being discussed, and that there was a reasonable possibility of prevention. Alternatives such as "might have prevented" or "could have avoided" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could have avoided

Substitutes "averted" with "avoided", keeping the same meaning with a different verb.

might have prevented

Replaces "could" with "might", suggesting a slightly lower degree of certainty.

could have forestalled

Uses "forestalled" instead of "averted", implying a proactive prevention.

could have circumvented

Uses "circumvented" in place of "averted", implying finding a way around the problem.

could have precluded

Replaces "averted" with "precluded", indicating the elimination of a possibility.

could have stopped

Uses the simpler verb "stopped" in place of "averted".

could have mitigated

Substitutes "averted" with "mitigated", focusing on reducing the severity.

could have neutralized

Replaces "averted" with "neutralized", focusing on rendering something ineffective.

could have hindered

Replaces "averted" with "hindered", meaning to delay or impede the outcome.

could have minimized

Similar to 'mitigated', but implies reducing something to the smallest possible amount.

FAQs

How can I use "could have averted" in a sentence?

Use "could have averted" to suggest that a different action or decision in the past might have prevented a negative outcome. For example, "The crisis "could have averted" if the company had listened to the warnings."

What can I say instead of "could have averted"?

You can use alternatives like "might have prevented", "could have avoided", or "could have forestalled" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "could have averted" in formal writing?

Yes, "could have averted" is suitable for formal writing. It's often found in news articles, academic papers, and business reports. However, ensure that your writing maintains a neutral and objective tone.

What is the difference between "could have averted" and "could have prevented"?

While both phrases suggest that an action could have stopped something from happening, ""could have averted"" often implies a more specific or imminent danger that was narrowly avoided, while "could have prevented" is broader in scope.