it prevents

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it prevents" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in a sentence when you are describing how one thing stops another from happening. For example, "A seatbelt helps keep the driver safe by it prevents them from being thrown forward in an accident."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"It prevents ingrowns," she said.

The New York Times

It prevents me from being bored.

The New Yorker

We like it because it prevents ambiguity.

The New Yorker

"That's the rule; it prevents problems.

The New York Times - Magazine

"It prevents people from eating certain foods.

Independent

"It prevents double punishment," Feldman said.

The New York Times - Sports

"It prevents people from being productive citizens".

The New York Times

It prevents contact with their kids.

The New Yorker

"It prevents things from building up.

The Guardian - Sport

It prevents fraying and loss of buttons.

The Guardian

It does not cause abortions, it prevents pregnancies".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it prevents" to clearly and concisely describe how something stops an action or outcome. Ensure the subject 'it' is clearly defined in the context for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "it prevents" without a clear referent for 'it'. Ensure the sentence structure makes it obvious what 'it' refers to, preventing ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

It prevents functions as a verb phrase where 'it' is the subject and 'prevents' is the verb. According to Ludwig, this phrase correctly indicates that something stops an action or outcome from occurring. Examples show its use in various contexts from science to news.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

42%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it prevents" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to describe how something stops an action or outcome. As confirmed by Ludwig, it’s widely used across diverse contexts, including news, science, and general writing. While generally neutral in tone, it is crucial to ensure the antecedent of 'it' is clear to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "it stops", "it hinders", and "it averts" can offer nuanced variations, but "it prevents" remains a direct and effective choice for expressing prevention.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it stops

A more direct and simple way to express prevention.

it averts

Focuses on warding off something dangerous or negative.

it blocks

Suggests a physical or metaphorical barrier.

it hinders

Emphasizes obstruction or delay.

it guards against

Stresses protection from potential threats.

it precludes

Implies making something impossible.

it wards off

Indicates defense against something harmful.

it obviates

Highlights the removal of necessity.

it forestalls

Focuses on acting in advance to prevent something.

it mitigates

Implies reducing the severity of something negative.

FAQs

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

"It prevents" is used to explain how something stops something else from happening. For example, "Wearing a helmet "it prevents" head injuries."

What are some alternatives to "it prevents"?

You can use alternatives such as "it stops", "it hinders", or "it averts" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "it prevents"?

Yes, "it prevents" is grammatically correct when 'it' refers to a singular noun or concept, and the verb 'prevents' agrees with the singular subject. It is a standard and widely accepted phrase.

What is the difference between "it prevents" and "it avoids"?

"It prevents" means to stop something from happening, while "it avoids" means to keep away from or evade something. Prevention is proactive, while avoidance is reactive.