it prevents that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it prevents that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a situation where something stops or hinders a specific action or outcome. Example: "The new policy is effective because it prevents that from happening again."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

The Lashpro design helps guard eyelids and the skin around the eyes against inadvertent crimping, and it prevents that undesirable 90-degree lash kink.

The New York Times - Style

But for an elderly person, it can be a necessity -- particularly if it prevents that person from having to get up in the middle of the night to shut off a light, possibly risking a fall.

The New York Times

It prevents that damages propagate to the next workflow step.

Journal of Internet Services and Applications

The male participants stated that: "It definitely takes the intimacy out, and it just becomes physical at that point"; "I would say it affects my love life, not my sex life so much"; "It prevents that closeness from being, you know, fully consummated"; and "I'm looking for the intimacy that we lost".

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Therefore, although the 'Honour all Issuers' element of the Honour all Cards Rule is a justifiable rule within a payment card system, since it prevents that payees from discriminating between the individual banks which have issued a card, the 'Honour all Products' element is essentially a tying practice that has the effect of tying acceptance of low fee cards to acceptance of high fee cards.

European Parliament

"One thing I try to do is make the viewer connect emotionally with what is going on, and if my voice is there, it prevents that from happening".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

And though it may not be an Intel killer, it could prevent that firm from extending its dominance of the desktop into the living room.

The Economist

And California law prevents that".

The New York Times

Having an ebook be read aloud (ie for the blind) even if that book has controls built into it to prevent that sort of thing.

TechCrunch

Yes, but it helps prevent that telltale freezer flavor.

HuffPost

But for the current Israeli government to think it can prevent that by blowing up the whole of Gaza is the same old mistake.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it prevents that", ensure the context clearly identifies what "it" refers to. Ambiguity can weaken the statement.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "it prevents that" can sound slightly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "it stops that" or "that's avoided" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it prevents that" functions as a clause element within a sentence, typically acting as a statement to describe the ability of something to stop or hinder a particular event or situation. This aligns with Ludwig's assessment of grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it prevents that" is a grammatically correct expression used to describe the ability of something to stop a particular event or outcome. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is best suited for neutral to formal contexts, such as news reporting, scientific writing, or business communications. While effective, it is relatively uncommon and may benefit from simpler alternatives like "it stops that" in casual settings. Ensure clarity by specifying what "it" refers to, and consider more descriptive alternatives to enhance the message’s impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it stops that

A more direct and simple way of saying something is halted.

it protects from that

Focuses on shielding or defending against a potential harm.

it avoids that

Focuses on the act of evading or averting something.

it blocks that

Implies an obstruction or barrier is created.

it averts that

Emphasizes warding off or turning away something undesirable.

it precludes that

Uses a more formal term, "precludes", suggesting a stronger sense of impossibility.

it wards off that

Suggests actively deflecting or repelling something unwanted.

it prohibits that

Indicates a formal or legal forbidding of something.

it rules that out

Suggests that something is being eliminated as a possibility.

it safeguards against that

Highlights the protective aspect of preventing something.

FAQs

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

Use "it prevents that" when you want to explain that something stops a specific action or outcome. For example, "The new policy is effective because "it prevents that" from happening again".

What are some alternatives to "it prevents that"?

You can use alternatives like "it stops that", "it avoids that", or "it protects from that" depending on the context.

Is "it prevents that" formal or informal?

While grammatically correct, ""it prevents that"" leans towards the formal side. Simpler alternatives might be more suitable for casual conversations.

What's the difference between "it prevents that" and "it stops that"?

Both phrases convey a similar meaning, but "it stops that" is more direct and informal, while ""it prevents that"" is slightly more formal and emphasizes the act of hindering something before it occurs.