deter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "deter" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of discouraging or preventing someone from taking a particular action. Example: "The new security measures are designed to deter potential intruders from entering the premises."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In a speech setting out the government package to deter so-called benefit tourism, Cameron will say EU migrants can only continue to claim jobseekers allowance if they have been continuously actively seeking work and have a realistic imminent prospect of finding a job.

The Guardian

Related: Rightwing Northern League makes gains in Italian elections Although welcomed by the Italian government, the proposals have done little to deter the anti-immigrant rhetoric of the country's rising far right.

The Guardian

The legitimacy of legislation used to deter terrorists depends, like all law, on popular consent.

The Guardian

But I won't let this barrage of awfulness deter me.

The Guardian - Opinion

The local council was committed to providing funding for youth clubs and other regenerative schemes to deter young people from engaging in criminal activities, which contributed to the area improving greatly over time.

The Guardian - Opinion

But both Germany and Britain have rejected sending arms to the Ukrainian government, or sending vessels to the Black sea to deter further Russian attacks.

The Guardian

The new plan calls for "putting something on top of the fence that will deter people from climbing and prevent them from getting over", Clancy said.

The Guardian

The party discovered that his suggestion continue to deter these voters, many of whom have instinctively conservative values, from voting Tory.

The Guardian - Opinion

Having studied those results, I would also ask myself whether having Johnson at the helm would address the questions that deter people from voting Conservative.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Gazette offers a little-known fact: that under the 1959 Weeds Act it is an offence to let ragwort grow on your land (which does not deter some northern eccentrics who claim to appreciate its doubtful charms).

The Guardian

They no longer need to deter a default by threatening Greece with expulsion from the euro.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "deter" when you want to emphasize the act of discouraging or preventing someone from doing something through fear or doubt. For example, "The high fines are intended to deter speeding."

Common error

Avoid using "deter" when simply stopping something without any implication of discouragement is intended. For example, instead of "The wall deters the flood," use "The wall prevents the flood."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "deter" is as a transitive verb. It requires a direct object, indicating what or whom is being discouraged or prevented. Ludwig shows that the term is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Formal & Business

6%

Science

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "deter" is a versatile verb used to describe the act of discouraging or preventing something from happening. Ludwig AI indicates that the term is grammatically sound. It's frequently used in news and media contexts, making it a common and generally neutral term. Related phrases include "prevent", "discourage", and "hinder", each carrying slightly different nuances. Remember to use "deter" when there's an element of discouraging involved and to avoid the incorrect "deter against". By following these guidelines, you can ensure proper and effective use of "deter" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prevent

Indicates a more direct action of stopping something from occurring.

discourage

Focuses on reducing someone's enthusiasm or inclination to do something.

dissuade

Implies persuading someone not to take a particular course of action.

avert

Means to turn away or prevent something, often something negative.

hinder

Suggests creating obstacles that make an action more difficult.

impede

Similar to hinder, but suggests a more significant obstruction.

inhibit

Suggests a psychological or emotional barrier that prevents action.

restrain

Indicates holding someone or something back, often physically or emotionally.

preclude

Indicates making something impossible or excluding it entirely.

obstruct

Implies blocking or creating a barrier to progress or action.

FAQs

How can I use "deter" in a sentence?

Use "deter" to mean to discourage someone from doing something through fear or doubt. For instance, "The new laws are designed to "deter crime"".

What are some alternatives to using "deter"?

Alternatives to "deter" include "prevent", "discourage", or "hinder", depending on the specific context.

What is the difference between "deter" and "prevent"?

"Deter" implies discouraging someone from doing something, while "prevent" means to stop something from happening altogether. For example, "Fines deter speeding", while "Barriers prevent entry".

Is it correct to say "deter from" or "deter against"?

The correct usage is "deter from". For example, "The penalty should deter him "from cheating"." The phrase "deter against" is not standard English.