dodge

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "dodge" is correct and usable in written English.
It is most often used as a verb, meaning to avoid or evade something, as in, "She tried to dodge his question."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

After months of wrangling, the broadcasters finally agreed seven leaders would be allowed to take part, allowing David Cameron to dodge a head-to-head with Ed Miliband.

The Guardian

Here is a man who makes superhuman efforts to stick by his roots in Scotland and dodge tabloid celebrity, only to find that his every move is written up in the papers, usually accompanied by a punning headline derived from The Full Monty.

The Guardian - Film

Many recipes dodge the issue by pointing you towards "packet instructions", but Stein suggests dunking them in boiling water for two minutes, while Luu goes for 5 10 minutes, "until soft".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Waze allows drivers to dodge traffic queues and FeeX offers savers the ability to cut down their investment fees.

The Guardian

But the tax may still be easy to dodge.

The Guardian - Opinion

At half past four in the afternoon, a young Congolese man, already known to the police, had been arrested while trying to dodge the ticket barrier.

The Guardian

To dodge the purge, many now avoid displays of conspicuous consumption, even if they got rich the legal way and even if to them golf is merely a means to network with the powerful.

The Guardian

English cricket has always played the blame game much better than it does 50-over cricket and already the first moves are being made to dodge the fallout from another disastrous World Cup.

The Guardian - Sport

You'll spend time in Queen Elizabeth national park - where you'll search for leopard and elephant, track chimps in the Chambura Gorge and dodge hippo on a river cruise - and by Lake Victoria.

The Guardian - Travel

All you need is just to dodge and to fire," claims the App Store listing to Masayuki Ito's shoot 'em up.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Matthew Dodge, the attorney who came to see Church, said the latticework through which he spoke to his client was smaller than a typical backyard fence.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "dodge", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being avoided, whether it's a physical object, a responsibility, or a question. Clarity enhances the impact of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "dodge" when a more direct term like "avoid" or "evade" would be more appropriate. "Dodge" often implies a quick, sometimes nimble movement or action, not simply general avoidance.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "dodge" is a verb, describing the act of avoiding something quickly and often skillfully. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its use in both physical and metaphorical contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

16%

Science

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dodge" is a versatile verb used to describe the act of avoiding something, often with a sense of quickness or skill. As highlighted by Ludwig, it appears frequently in news and media contexts, indicating its relevance across various topics. While grammatically correct and widely used, consider the specific nuance you wish to convey and whether synonyms like "evade" or "circumvent" might be more appropriate. Remember that "dodge" often implies a deliberate attempt to escape something undesirable, informing its effective use in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

evade

Focuses on escaping or avoiding something, often cleverly or strategically.

avoid

Implies keeping away from something, either physically or metaphorically.

sidestep

Suggests moving to the side to avoid an obstacle or question.

circumvent

Indicates finding a way around an obstacle or rule.

skirt

Implies going around the edge of something to avoid direct contact.

duck

Suggests quickly lowering oneself to avoid being hit or seen.

shun

Means deliberately avoiding someone or something.

elude

Highlights the difficulty of being caught or understood.

parry

Specifically refers to deflecting a blow or attack.

hedge

Implies avoiding commitment by speaking ambiguously.

FAQs

How can I use "dodge" in a sentence?

You can use "dodge" to describe physically avoiding something, as in "He had to dodge the oncoming traffic", or metaphorically, like "She tried to dodge the difficult question".

What are some synonyms for "dodge"?

Alternatives to "dodge" include "evade", "avoid", "sidestep", and "circumvent". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "dodge" in formal writing?

Yes, "dodge" is acceptable in formal writing, especially when describing a deliberate attempt to avoid something. However, consider whether a more formal synonym like "evade" or "circumvent" might be more appropriate depending on the context.

What's the difference between "dodge" and "avoid"?

"Dodge" implies a quick or nimble movement to evade something, while "avoid" is a more general term for keeping away from something. You might "dodge" a ball, but you would generally "avoid" a person or a situation.