in order to prevent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in order to prevent" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are expressing the idea that something has been done to stop something else from happening. Example: We put up a fence in order to prevent our dog from getting out of the garden.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We are for peace, in order to prevent lawlessness".

The New York Times

They had to, in order to prevent financial ruin.

The Washington Post

In order to prevent relapse, continue therapy for 6 weeks.

Cornell University

So, SIPC was created in order to prevent that.

Yale University

No further additives were used in order to prevent sedimentation.

Journal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials

In order to prevent further tragedies, Delos has replaced all of its workers with robots.

The Guardian - Film

"IDF forces opened fire in order to prevent the violent rioters from illegally infiltrating Israeli territory.

The Guardian

De Niro urged Americans to vote on 8 November in order to prevent Trump from winning.

The Guardian - Film

Eventually, they started blockading the doors of his office, in order to prevent women from entering.

The New Yorker

Ministers have admitted holding back vital information in order to prevent a panic.

The Guardian

Have a Sit-Down Conversation Pick a public place in order to prevent any dramatic outbursts.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in order to prevent", ensure that the action being prevented is clearly defined and directly related to the action taken. This enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "in order to prevent" when the relationship between the actions is not directly causal. Ensure that the preventive measure logically leads to the desired outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in order to prevent" functions as an adverbial phrase of purpose. It modifies a verb, clause, or sentence by indicating the reason or intention behind an action. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

35%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in order to prevent" is a purpose connector, frequently used to express the intention behind an action. Ludwig AI indicates that its usage is grammatically correct. With a "Very common" frequency, it appears predominantly in News & Media, Academia, and Science contexts. Alternatives like "to avert", "to preclude", and "to avoid" offer nuanced ways to convey similar meanings. When using this phrase, ensure a clear causal link between the action and the outcome you are trying to prevent. This phrase has a neutral to formal tone; use the simpler "to prevent" in less formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to avert

Focuses on avoiding an impending negative outcome.

to preclude

Emphasizes making something impossible beforehand.

to forestall

Highlights taking action to prevent something from happening, especially by acting in advance.

to obviate

Focuses on removing the necessity or need for something.

to deter

Emphasizes discouraging or restraining someone from doing something.

to mitigate

Highlights reducing the severity, seriousness, or painfulness of something.

to avoid

General term for keeping away from something undesirable.

to counteract

Focuses on neutralizing or opposing the negative effects of something.

to impede

Emphasizes slowing down or obstructing a process or action.

to hinder

General term for creating difficulties for someone or something, preventing progress.

FAQs

How can I use "in order to prevent" in a sentence?

Use "in order to prevent" to introduce the purpose of an action, aiming to stop something else from occurring. For example, "We installed security cameras "in order to prevent" theft".

What are some alternatives to "in order to prevent"?

You can use alternatives like "to avoid", "to avert", or "to preclude" depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is there a difference between "in order to prevent" and "so as to prevent"?

Both phrases serve the same purpose, indicating the intent to stop something from happening. "In order to prevent" is generally considered more formal than "so as to prevent".

When should I use "in order to prevent" instead of simply "to prevent"?

While "to prevent" is perfectly acceptable, "in order to prevent" can be used for emphasis, especially in formal writing or when you want to clearly highlight the purpose of an action.