it steers clear of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it steers clear of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something avoids or stays away from a particular issue, topic, or situation. Example: "The report steers clear of controversial subjects to maintain objectivity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

The snow certainly succeeds in evoking a sense of period, though it steers clear of its moral complexities.

The New York Times

Though her new book is thorough in its explanations of product ingredients and techniques for makeup application, it steers clear of naming specific products.

Los Angeles Times

Repurposed here as a sweary, essentially big-hearted metropolitan sex comedy with an all-black cast, and directed by the guy who brought you Hot Tub Time Machine, it steers clear of Tyler Perry territory and relies on one of its two couples – Hart and an explosive Regina Hall – for most of the comic gold the film offers.

The Guardian - Film

It steers clear of debates over the allocation of visas.

The New York Times

At the same time, it steers clear of whitewash.

The Guardian - Film

First, it steers clear of "social issues": no gay marriage, no abortion, no affirmative action.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

And it steered clear of complex investments its executives could not value.

The New York Times

It was a fine line to walk for a presentation, but it steered clear of cliché by committing wholeheartedly (and bodily) to the enactment.

The New York Times

It steered clear of many of the problems tied to American subprime mortgages and other complex investments, and it is now seizing opportunities on the global stage.

The New York Times

Also, Akin not only wants to keep the government out of the student loan business, his past votes suggest he also wants to see it steer clear of school lunches.

The New York Times

"Lloyds", predicts the boss of another big British bank, "won't exist in a decade".Judging how Lloyds would have fared had it steered clear of HBOS is tricky.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it steers clear of" to indicate a deliberate avoidance, especially when the subject might be controversial or problematic. It's useful for describing strategies or policies.

Common error

Avoid using "it steers clear of" in very casual conversations. Simpler alternatives like "it avoids" or "it skips" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it steers clear of" functions as a verb phrase, indicating deliberate avoidance. Ludwig examples show its use in describing actions taken to evade specific topics or issues. The grammatical structure is straightforward and easily understood.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Academia

8%

Lifestyle

4%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Science & Research

4%

Opinion

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it steers clear of" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe the deliberate avoidance of a particular subject or situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, indicating a neutral to slightly formal register. When using this phrase, be mindful of the context, ensuring it aligns with the level of formality required. For more casual settings, alternatives like "it avoids" may be more appropriate. The sources confirm that "it steers clear of" is a reliable and effective way to communicate intentional evasion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it avoids

Simple substitution of the verb "steers clear" with "avoids".

it evades

Uses "evades" which suggests skillful avoidance.

it stays away from

A more literal and straightforward way of saying "it steers clear of".

it bypasses

Indicates going around or circumventing something.

it shies away from

Implies reluctance or hesitation in approaching a topic.

it refrains from

Suggests a deliberate holding back from something.

it skirts around

Suggests careful and cautious avoidance.

it keeps its distance from

Emphasizes maintaining separation from a particular subject or area.

it dances around

Indicates an indirect approach, avoiding direct engagement.

it gives a wide berth to

Means keeping well away from something, often something potentially problematic.

FAQs

What does "it steers clear of" mean?

The phrase "it steers clear of" means that something or someone deliberately avoids a particular topic, issue, or situation. It implies a conscious decision to not engage with something, often to avoid potential problems or controversy.

What can I say instead of "it steers clear of"?

You can use alternatives like "it avoids", "it evades", or "it bypasses" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "it steers clear of" formal or informal?

The phrase "it steers clear of" is generally considered neutral to formal. While understandable in most contexts, it's more commonly found in news, reports, and professional writing rather than very casual conversation.

How to use "it steers clear of" in a sentence?

You can use "it steers clear of" to describe a subject's deliberate avoidance. For example, "The politician "steers clear of" controversial topics during the debate", or "The report "steers clear of" making any specific policy recommendations".