deter them from

USAGE SUMMARY

"deter them from" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something has acted as an obstacle or obstacle to someone else and thus has prevented them from doing something. For example: The high cost of the product deterred them from making a purchase.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

now will deter them from coming to the negotiating table.

The New York Times

What factors might deter them from doing so?

The New York Times

But that should not necessarily deter them from doing it.

The New York Times

It's just to deter them from posting another.

The New York Times

The obvious intent is to deter them from activism.

The Washington Post

The water lapped at my moving limbs but did not deter them from spinning.

The New York Times - Health

The high marginal tax rate faced by borrowers may deter them from slogging for pay rises.

The Economist

He and others said the violence would not deter them from continuing their protests.

The New York Times

That was enough to deter them from pulling out of the country.

The Economist

"If somebody would take any reaction, maybe it would deter them from using it again".

The New York Times

And only a driving rain or subfreezing temperatures deter them from the trail.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "deter them from", clearly state what action you are trying to prevent and what measures are in place to achieve this. Clarity will enhance the effectiveness of your communication.

Common error

Don't overestimate the power of deterrence. While "deter them from" implies an attempt to prevent action, it doesn't guarantee success. Be realistic about the likelihood of success and consider backup plans.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "deter them from" functions as a purpose connector, indicating that an action or measure is intended to prevent someone from doing something. Ludwig provides numerous examples of this usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "deter them from" is a grammatically correct and very common expression used to indicate that something is intended to prevent or discourage a particular action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, including news, science, and general writing. While it is generally neutral in register, its usage can range from formal to informal depending on the source. When using this phrase, it is essential to be clear about what you are trying to prevent and what measures are in place to achieve this. Be mindful that deterrence doesn't guarantee success, and consider alternatives like "prevent them from", "discourage them from", or "stop them from" to better suit your specific communication needs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prevent them from

Replaces "deter" with a more general term for stopping an action.

stop them from

A simpler and more direct way to express prevention.

discourage them from

Focuses on lessening someone's enthusiasm to act, rather than outright stopping them.

dissuade them from

Highlights persuading someone not to do something.

inhibit them from

Suggests a restraining or suppressing effect.

restrain them from

Indicates holding someone back from an action.

hinder them from

Emphasizes creating difficulty that impedes an action.

thwart them from

Implies successfully preventing someone's plan from succeeding.

preclude them from

Highlights making something impossible beforehand.

avert them from

Focuses on turning something away to avoid it.

FAQs

How can I use "deter them from" in a sentence?

You can use "deter them from" to indicate that something prevents someone from doing something. For example, "The high cost of tickets may deter them from attending the concert."

What is a good alternative to "deter them from"?

Alternatives include "prevent them from", "discourage them from", or "stop them from", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "deter them from" or "prevent them from"?

Both "deter them from" and "prevent them from" are correct, but "deter" implies an attempt to discourage through fear or doubt, while "prevent" simply means to stop something from happening.

What's the difference between "deter them from" and "dissuade them from"?

"Deter them from" suggests discouraging action through fear or obstacles, while "dissuade them from" means to persuade someone not to do something through reasoning or advice.