is not unavoidable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is not unavoidable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something can be avoided or is not certain to happen. Example: "While challenges may arise, failure is not unavoidable if we prepare adequately."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"This is not unavoidable, it is a political choice and a deeply damaging one," he says.

The Guardian

His premise is straightforward: inequality is not unavoidable, a fact of life like the weather, but the product of conscious human behaviour.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

In both prospect and retrospect, this war was not unavoidable.

The New York Times

Ms. Whitman declined to blame these third-world conditions on "a big Republican plot," but Florida's long lines were not unavoidable.

The New York Times

Politicians will find ways to evade the new constitution's strictures; crooked bankers and businessmen will cook the books and resist restructuring; pressing problems, such as the spread of AIDS and a surge in drug abuse, will be neglected; and the frustrated citizens, aware of their rights but unable to enforce them, will take to the streets.Such are the risks; but they are not unavoidable.

The Economist

Declines in ecosystem health are not unavoidable forms of collateral damage of peace-time military operations.

Communicative and Integrative Biology

It wasn't unavoidable—I'd messed up, and fixed that other character's fate in the process.

Vice

"What is striking to me is that, in Kierkegaard's view, if I understand it, the impossibility of truly knowing the best decision, time and again, is not an unavoidable difficulty of living.

The Economist

Raised by his father to believe that the practice of war is obsolete, the immature soldier — and, by extension, the reader — is instructed through a series of deep space combat missions that war is not only unavoidable, it is vital and even noble.

The New York Times

As to English bias, it is important for the prime musical reference work in the English language to serve the needs and the interests of its users: I have always recognized that even in an international dictionary some bias in favor of English, American, Canadian and Australian music and that of other English-speaking nations is not only unavoidable but perfectly proper.

The New York Times - Books

It is an exciting show for anyone interested in art or architecture; it proves that old history can be taught new tricks and pluralism is not an unavoidable condition, that there can still be such a thing as a coherent style that accommodates individual sensibilities.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is not unavoidable" to challenge assumptions that a negative outcome is predetermined. This framing opens possibilities for proactive solutions and interventions.

Common error

Avoid stacking negative constructions like "it isn't not unavoidable" as it can confuse readers. Instead, opt for the simpler, positive form "it is avoidable".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is not unavoidable" functions as a predicate adjective, modifying a subject by stating that a particular outcome or situation is not inevitable. Ludwig confirms its usability and grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

37%

Encyclopedias

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is not unavoidable" is grammatically sound and indicates that an outcome or situation can be prevented. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's usable in written English to convey possibility and agency, suggesting that negative outcomes are not predetermined. While most commonly found in News & Media and Science, its neutral register makes it suitable for diverse contexts. Alternatives like "is avoidable" or "is not inevitable" provide similar meanings. When using the phrase, avoid overuse of negative constructions for clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is avoidable

Direct opposite, indicating that something can be avoided.

is not inevitable

Replaces "unavoidable" with "inevitable", conveying a similar meaning.

can be averted

Uses "averted" to suggest preventing something from happening.

is preventable

Highlights the possibility of preventing something.

is not a foregone conclusion

Emphasizes that the outcome is not predetermined.

is not certain to occur

Focuses on the uncertainty of an event.

is subject to change

Suggests that the situation is not fixed and can be altered.

is contingent

Indicates that the outcome depends on certain conditions.

does not have to happen

Emphasizes the lack of necessity for an event to occur.

is not a given

Implies that something should not be taken for granted.

FAQs

How can I use "is not unavoidable" in a sentence?

Use "is not unavoidable" to indicate that a particular outcome or situation can be prevented or avoided through specific actions or decisions. For example, "While challenges may arise, failure "is not unavoidable" if we prepare adequately".

What does "is not unavoidable" mean?

The phrase "is not unavoidable" means that something can be avoided or prevented. It suggests that the situation or outcome is not inevitable and can be changed through intervention or different choices.

What can I say instead of "is not unavoidable"?

You can use alternatives like "is avoidable", "is not inevitable", or "can be averted" depending on the context.

Is "is not unavoidable" a double negative?

While "is not unavoidable" contains a negative construction, it doesn't function as a true double negative because it doesn't affirm the opposite of the statement. Instead, it softens the assertion and communicates that the outcome is preventable.