is preventing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is preventing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is stopping or hindering an action or event from occurring. Example: "The heavy rain is preventing us from going for a hike today."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The first is preventing crime.

The Economist

It is preventing efficiency".

The Guardian

Second, is preventing diseases.

Yale University

What is preventing Burma from becoming democratic?

The New Yorker

What is preventing that from happening?

The New York Times

So that too is preventing recovery.

The New York Times

Just one vote is preventing passage.

The New York Times

The most obvious is preventing tooth decay.

The Guardian

Our current ignorance is preventing us doing much about it.

The Guardian

A second strategic interest is preventing a regional war.

The New Yorker

What is preventing people from receiving a timely diagnosis?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is preventing" to clearly indicate that a specific action or factor is actively stopping something else from happening. Ensure the context provides sufficient clarity about what is being prevented and what is causing the prevention.

Common error

Avoid using "is preventing" when the situation merely involves reducing the likelihood of something. "Mitigating" or "reducing the risk of" are more appropriate when complete prevention isn't guaranteed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is preventing" functions as part of a present continuous verb phrase, indicating an ongoing action of stopping something from occurring. Ludwig AI shows that it connects a subject with an action that directly hinders or blocks another action or event.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is preventing" is a versatile and commonly used expression to indicate an ongoing action that stops something from happening. According to Ludwig AI, its grammatical correctness and wide applicability make it suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and formal business settings. When using "is preventing", ensure clarity about what is being stopped and what is causing the prevention. Consider alternatives like "is hindering" or "is stopping" to fine-tune your message. Avoid using it when only reducing likelihood, not ensuring complete prevention. This phrase maintains a neutral register and effectively conveys the idea of active obstruction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is stopping

A more direct and simple way of saying "is preventing", suitable for informal contexts.

is hindering

Emphasizes the slowing down or obstruction of progress, rather than complete prevention.

is impeding

Similar to hindering, but suggests a more significant obstacle or impediment.

is averting

Focuses on successfully avoiding a negative outcome, implying a proactive intervention.

is blocking

Implies a direct obstruction, making something impassable or impossible.

is precluding

Suggests making something impossible in advance, often used in formal or legal contexts.

is forestalling

Highlights acting in advance to prevent something, often a problem or difficulty.

is obviating

Means to anticipate and prevent something by taking effective measures.

is guarding against

Focuses on protecting from a potential threat or danger.

is shielding from

Emphasizes the act of protecting someone or something from harm or negative effects.

FAQs

How can I use "is preventing" in a sentence?

Use "is preventing" to show that something is actively stopping something else from happening. For example, "The new law is preventing pollution" or "Lack of funding is preventing further research".

What are some alternatives to "is preventing"?

You can use alternatives like "is hindering", "is stopping", or "is averting" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "is preventing from"?

The phrase "is preventing" is often followed by a direct object and an infinitive with "from". For example, "The rain is preventing us from going outside."

What's the difference between "is preventing" and "is avoiding"?

"Is preventing" implies stopping something from happening, while "is avoiding" means keeping away from something. For example, "The vaccine is preventing the disease", whereas "He is avoiding contact with infected people".