it deters

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it deters" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the ability of something to discourage or prevent a particular action or behavior. Example: "The high fines for littering serve a purpose; it deters people from throwing trash on the streets."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It deters nothing!

The Guardian

It deters potential political and military challenges.

The New York Times

I don't think it deters and we can't afford it".

The Guardian - Opinion

"There is still no clear evidence it deters crime internationally.

The Guardian

That is because it deters enterprise and harder work.

The Guardian - Opinion

It deters drug use by insisting on regular drug screenings and threatening short stays in jail.

The Economist

"But it deters from what we're trying to do in the market".

The New York Times

Outside famine times, it deters the farmers of needy countries from producing more.

The Economist

Such pessimism can be self-fulfilling if it deters investment and makes reforms easier to reverse.

The Economist

Prosecutors like to justify what they do by pointing to how it deters future misbehaviour.

The Economist

It deters potential offenders (though many crimes are committed on impulse, or when drunk or drugged).

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it deters", ensure that the subject clearly identifies what is doing the deterring and what action is being deterred. Clarity enhances the sentence's impact and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the impact of something as a deterrent. Qualify the statement to reflect a more realistic assessment of its influence, as complete deterrence is rarely achieved.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "it deters" is to act as a verb phrase within a sentence, indicating that something has the ability to discourage or prevent a specific action. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Encyclopedias

13%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it deters" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, particularly within news, media, and scientific contexts. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, "it deters" effectively conveys the idea that something discourages or prevents a specific action. While alternatives like "it prevents" or "it discourages" exist, the directness and versatility of "it deters" make it a reliable choice in both formal and informal writing. Remember to use it with clarity, ensuring the subject and deterred action are well-defined, and avoid overstating the deterrent effect for a balanced and accurate representation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it discourages

Replaces "deters" with a slightly less formal synonym.

it prevents

Offers a direct and common alternative to "deters".

it hinders

Suggests that something makes an action more difficult.

it impedes

Indicates a more significant obstruction than "hinders".

it dissuades

Implies active persuasion against a particular course of action.

it averts

Suggests preventing something negative or dangerous from happening.

it wards off

Conveys the idea of actively repelling something undesirable.

it obviates

Implies removing the necessity for something, thus preventing it.

it forestalls

Means preventing something by acting in advance.

it chills

Indicates that something creates a climate of fear or hesitation, discouraging behavior.

FAQs

How can I use "it deters" in a sentence?

Use "it deters" to show that something discourages or prevents a particular action. For instance, "The high cost of the product "it deters" many potential buyers".

What are some alternatives to using "it deters"?

Alternatives include phrases like "it prevents", "it discourages", or "it hinders", which offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

Is "it deters" appropriate for formal writing?

"It deters" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. While alternatives exist, its clarity and directness make it a versatile choice.

What is the nuance between "it deters" and "it prevents"?

While both suggest stopping an action, ""it deters"" implies discouraging someone through fear or doubt, whereas "it prevents" suggests a more direct and absolute obstruction.