make an effort to prevent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make an effort to prevent" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the importance of taking action to avoid a particular outcome or situation. Example: "We must make an effort to prevent any further delays in the project timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The campaign aims to get students -- especially men -- to make an effort to prevent sexual violence by changing their own attitudes and intervening in risky situations.

Huffington Post

The appeal, of course, is that by learning your risk for certain health conditions, you can make an effort to prevent them.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Noble said that although teams were making an effort to prevent MRSA, eradicating the bacteria was nearly impossible.

The New York Times

At the Netzarim junction in Gaza this morning, Palestinian policemen visibly made an effort to prevent youths who were gathering stones from advancing on the Israeli army post and Jewish settlement.

The New York Times

MOSCOW — President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia on Tuesday appeared to rule out sending Edward J. Snowden back to the United States to face espionage charges, leaving him in limbo even as Moscow and Washington seemed to be making an effort to prevent a cold-war-style standoff from escalating.

The New York Times

I'm making an effort to prevent that from being sold.

Vice

Making an effort to prevent unintended pregnancies and STDs and seek care and treatment when needed.

Huffington Post

If CT regeneration would occur in our experiment, it would take an even greater amount of time because we sectioned the nerve more centrally than it was crushed in the cited studies and because we made an effort to prevent nerve regeneration rather than facilitate it.

Chemical Senses

The sacrifices that Papa Joe makes are an effort to prevent kids like them from experiencing his same fate.

The Washington Post

Nor is China making any effort to prevent Chinese companies from adopting other Google products, like its Android operating system for cellphones and other mobile devices.

The New York Times

After the fatal fire, housing department officials made two procedural changes in an effort to prevent another similar event.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "make an effort to prevent", clearly specify what action you are taking to avert the negative outcome. This adds clarity and strengthens the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "make an effort to prevent" without outlining specific steps. Saying you'll "make an effort to prevent" something is less impactful than detailing the actions you'll take to mitigate the risk.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make an effort to prevent" functions as an idiomatic expression used to indicate a determined attempt to hinder or avert a particular outcome. Ludwig examples confirm its role in expressing intent to avoid negative consequences.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "make an effort to prevent" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to convey a proactive intent to avoid a negative outcome. Ludwig's analysis indicates that it's particularly prevalent in News & Media, Science and Wiki sources. To maximize clarity, specify the actions being taken to mitigate the risk. While alternatives like "strive to avoid" or "aim to avert" exist, "make an effort to prevent" effectively communicates commitment and intention in various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

strive to avoid

Highlights the effort and determination in trying to keep something from happening.

aim to avert

Focuses on the intention to prevent something, suggesting a deliberate effort to avoid a negative outcome.

try to avert

Focuses on turning away or avoiding something, suggesting a direct attempt to change the course of events.

endeavor to forestall

Suggests acting in advance to prevent something from happening, often with a sense of urgency.

undertake to forestall

Emphasizes the commitment to prevent something from happening.

seek to preclude

Implies taking action to make something impossible, often in a formal or legal context.

attempt to preclude

Suggests a trial or experiment to prevent something.

work to deter

Emphasizes discouraging or dissuading someone from doing something, aiming to prevent an action through fear or doubt.

take steps to impede

Highlights the actions taken to slow down or obstruct something, preventing its full realization.

act to deter

Focuses on taking concrete actions to discourage something.

FAQs

How can I use "make an effort to prevent" in a sentence?

Use "make an effort to prevent" to describe actions taken to avert a negative outcome. For example, "We must "make an effort to prevent" further delays in the project timeline".

What are some alternatives to "make an effort to prevent"?

Alternatives include "strive to avoid", "aim to avert", or "try to avert" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "make an effort to prevent" or "try to prevent"?

"Make an effort to prevent" emphasizes a more deliberate and sustained action compared to the simpler "try to prevent". The best choice depends on the context and the level of commitment you want to convey.

What's the difference between "make an effort to prevent" and "take measures to prevent"?

"Take measures to prevent" implies a more formal and structured approach, often involving specific policies or procedures. "Make an effort to prevent" is broader and can encompass less formal actions.