forestall a problem

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "forestall a problem" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing actions taken to prevent or hinder a potential issue before it arises. Example: "To ensure a smooth project launch, we need to forestall any potential problems by addressing concerns early on."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

They provide fast and straightforward solutions, and they are also low-cost, as it is cheaper to predict and forestall an imminent problem than deal with its consequences after it has occurred.

Unicef

The Bush administration is hoping, somehow, to forestall a wave of foreclosures - thereby passing the economy's problems on to the next president, just as it is doing with the Iraq quagmire.

The Guardian - Opinion

(e) To engross or forestall a commodity.

Cornell University

First, could it hope to forestall a crisis?

The Economist

Policymakers are now scrambling to forestall a crunch.

The Economist

And the U.N.-sanctioned NATO intervention did forestall a massacre.

The New York Times

And what could the community do to forestall a reoccurrence?

The New Yorker

But they could not forestall a bill on drug tests for unemployment benefits.

The New York Times

But will this latest move by the bankers be enough to forestall a panic?

Forbes

Could last-minute talks and maneuvers forestall a teachers' strike?

Los Angeles Times

Like Frankenstein's monster, Fuseli's demon symbolically seeks to forestall a marriage.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "forestall a problem" when you want to emphasize taking proactive steps to prevent an issue from arising, rather than just reacting to it.

Common error

While "forestall a problem" is generally appropriate, be mindful of your audience. In very informal contexts, simpler terms like "prevent" or "avoid" might be more suitable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "forestall a problem" functions as a purpose connector, indicating an action taken to prevent something negative from happening. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "forestall a problem" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe the act of preventing an issue from arising. While currently missing from Ludwig's example database, it's semantically similar to phrases like "prevent a problem" and "avert a problem". Use it to showcase a proactive approach in professional or neutral contexts. While the word forestall can feel formal, this is not always the case, so bear in mind that it fits well in specific settings where emphasizing preventative action is crucial.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prevent a problem

Focuses on stopping the problem before it occurs.

avert a problem

Emphasizes steering away from or avoiding a potential problem.

preclude a problem

Suggests making a problem impossible to happen.

head off a problem

Implies intercepting or stopping a problem in its early stages.

avoid a problem

General term for keeping a problem from happening.

nip a problem in the bud

Highlights stopping a problem very early in its development.

circumvent a problem

Suggests finding a way around a problem.

mitigate a problem

Focuses on reducing the severity of a problem.

preempt a problem

Implies acting before a problem can arise.

deter a problem

Discourages a problem from happening through preventative measures.

FAQs

What does "forestall a problem" mean?

The phrase "forestall a problem" means to anticipate and prevent a problem from occurring, typically by taking action in advance.

How can I use "forestall a problem" in a sentence?

You might say, "To ensure a smooth project launch, we need to "forestall any potential problems" by addressing concerns early on."

What can I say instead of "forestall a problem"?

You can use alternatives like "prevent a problem" or "avert a problem", depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "forestall a problem" and "solve a problem"?

"Forestalling a problem" means preventing it from happening in the first place, while "solve a problem" refers to addressing and resolving an issue that has already occurred.