has been averted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been averted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a potential problem or negative situation has been successfully prevented or avoided. Example: "The crisis has been averted thanks to the quick actions of the emergency response team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

— has been averted.

The New Yorker

For London has been averted.

Independent

A chaotic breakdown has been averted.

The Economist

National default has been averted, for now.

The New Yorker

So, tumult has been averted.

The Guardian - Sport

The worst, for now, has been averted.

The New York Times

Rahm Emanuel's showdown with the sheriff has been averted.

The New York Times

Well, Debtageddon has been averted, at least for now.

The New Yorker

Fortunately for global banks, that situation has been averted.

The New York Times

A NIFA takeover has been averted, for the time being.

The New York Times

You could say a second potential Paris has been averted".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been averted" to convey that a potential negative outcome was successfully prevented. It's particularly effective when emphasizing the role of specific actions or interventions in avoiding the problem.

Common error

Avoid using "has been averted" when the negative outcome has only been delayed or partially mitigated, but not fully prevented. Ensure the context accurately reflects a complete prevention, not merely a postponement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been averted" functions as a passive voice construction indicating that a potential negative outcome or undesirable event has been successfully prevented. Ludwig shows its use across diverse contexts, consistently conveying the idea of successful prevention.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has been averted" is a versatile phrase used to indicate the successful prevention of a negative outcome. Ludwig shows that the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently appears in news, formal writing, and even scientific contexts. While synonyms like "has been prevented" and "has been avoided" exist, "has been averted" carries a specific connotation of danger being turned aside. Understanding its nuanced meaning and appropriate usage ensures clear and effective communication, contributing to higher quality writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been prevented

This alternative is a direct synonym, emphasizing the act of stopping something from happening.

has been avoided

This alternative suggests that something was successfully kept away or dodged.

has been warded off

This alternative is more figurative, implying that something was defended against or repelled.

has been precluded

This alternative suggests that something has been made impossible to happen.

has been forestalled

This alternative emphasizes acting in advance to prevent something.

was staved off

This alternative implies delaying or holding back a negative event, typically temporarily.

was circumvented

This alternative indicates finding a way around or avoiding a problem or obstacle.

has been neutralized

This alternative suggests rendering something harmless or ineffective.

has been mitigated

This alternative indicates that the severity of something has been lessened.

has been defused

This alternative suggests that a tense or dangerous situation has been calmed or resolved.

FAQs

How can I use "has been averted" in a sentence?

Use "has been averted" to indicate that a potentially negative situation was successfully prevented from occurring. For example, "The crisis "has been averted" thanks to the timely intervention of mediators."

What are some alternatives to "has been averted"?

You can use alternatives such as "has been prevented", "has been avoided", or "has been warded off" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "was averted" instead of "has been averted"?

While "was averted" can be grammatically correct, it implies a completed action in the past without a direct connection to the present. "Has been averted" suggests a more recent or ongoing state of prevention, and depending on context is often more appropriate when the consequences still resonate. For example: "The accident was averted by quick thinking" is correct. "The accident "has been averted" by implementing stricter safety measures." implies that the measures are continuing to prevent accidents.

What's the difference between "has been averted" and "has been mitigated"?

"Has been averted" means that something negative was completely prevented, while "has been mitigated" means that the severity or impact of something negative has been reduced but not entirely prevented. Averted implies full prevention, while mitigated implies damage control.