have avoided using

USAGE SUMMARY

"have avoided using" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to indicate that someone has intentionally refrained from using something up to the present time. Example: "They have avoided using plastic bags for environmental reasons." Alternative expressions include "have steered clear of" and "have refrained from."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Indeed, the federal judges who have avoided using the sentencing guidelines so far, their number growing daily, have advocated two basic alternatives, neither involving juries.

The New York Times

Fox pundits, perhaps mindful that their owner, Rupert Murdoch, recently came out for a path to citizenship, have avoided using the A-word to describe the latest proposals.

The New York Times

To this point, I have avoided using the word "prediction" in the context of Mr. Romney's lead or his chances of winning the nomination.

The New York Times

Brian Boehringer and Ramiro Mendoza have been effective in middle relief but each is coming off arm surgery, and Torre and Stottlemyre have avoided using either on consecutive days.

The New York Times - Sports

The ability to create branded widgets at no extra charge should appeal to a number of bloggers who have avoided using the ads because of their generic appearance.

TechCrunch

In this paper, we have avoided using "rough and roughness" as descriptors as much as possible and instead use terms like aperture or surface variations.

Geothermal Energy

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Roberts notes that the administration has refrained from calling this a coup and correctly notes that the reason they've avoided using that term is because the vagaries of various laws would preclude us from sending aid to Egypt under those circumstances.

Huffington Post

Having trained in classic technique, Ms. Carton had avoided using technology in her work.

The New York Times - Tech

3.57pm: Foster: BB has avoided using the phrase top-slicing, but that is what it is.

The Guardian

But he has avoided using his home nation as a measuring stick for his tennis.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Dennery thought he had avoided using Domino Sugar, which he said is processed by under-age, underpaid workers.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Place this phrase in the methodology section of a paper to justify why certain variables or techniques were excluded from your study.

Common error

A common error is using the infinitive form "have avoided to use" instead of the gerund "have avoided using". In English, the verb "avoid" must be followed by a gerund (-ing form) to be grammatically correct.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have avoided using" functions as a present perfect verb phrase followed by a gerund. According to Ludwig data, it is used to describe a continuous state or a repeated action that started in the past and remains relevant to the present. The use of the verb "avoid" highlights intentionality and conscious choice.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Social Media

3%

Informal

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "have avoided using" is a robust and versatile phrase that excels in describing intentional exclusion across various disciplines. Whether in political reporting found in The New York Times or methodological explanations in Science journals, it communicates a sense of purpose and consistency. Ludwig AI highlights its prevalence in research papers where authors must justify their selection of variables. It is grammatically sound, widely recognized and highly effective for professional communication when you need to document a clear, ongoing boundary or omission.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have avoided the use of

A slightly more formal noun-based construction often found in academic writing.

have consistently avoided using

Adds an adverb to emphasize the regularity and duration of the avoidance.

have refrained from using

Implies a sense of self-restraint or following a specific rule/guideline.

have opted against using

Focuses more on the decision-making process itself.

have eschewed the use of

Highly formal and literary alternative to "avoided".

have steered clear of

A more idiomatic and slightly less formal way to express avoidance.

have not used

The most neutral and simple version, though it lacks the nuance of 'intentional avoidance'.

have bypassed using

Suggests finding an alternative route or method to achieve a goal without using the object.

have stayed away from

An informal alternative suitable for conversational contexts.

have shunned using

Carries a stronger emotional or social weight, implying a rejection.

FAQs

How do I use "have avoided using" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a deliberate choice, for example: "Since the beginning of the project, we "have avoided using" third-party plugins to ensure better security."

What is the difference between "have avoided using" and "avoided"?

The phrase "have avoided using" uses the present perfect tense, suggesting the action of avoidance has continued from the past up to the present. In contrast, "avoided" is simple past, which refers to a completed event in the past.

Can I say "have avoided to use" instead?

No, you should not use that. The verb "avoid" requires the gerund form. You should always use ""have avoided using"" instead of "have avoided to use".

What is a more formal alternative to "have avoided using"?

In very formal or academic contexts, you might use "have eschewed the use of" or "have refrained from employing".