means to avoid

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "means to avoid" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when explaining the purpose or intention behind an action that is intended to prevent something from happening. Example: "The new policy means to avoid any potential conflicts of interest among employees."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Cancer cells, however, develop a means to avoid death in that situation.

Encyclopedia Britannica

(My mother points out that the French verb éviter aptly means "to avoid").

The New York Times

They were also a means to avoid doing what Lanza did: look doomed children in the eye.

The New York Times

The obvious concern is that such orders could be used as a means to avoid having to make a criminal case to the requisite standard of proof".

The Guardian

Such an explanation can serve as a means to avoid the anxiety of imagining the state of mind of a person who reportedly laughed while shooting his victims.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Viability" is the name of the developers' game and is increasingly and creatively used as a means to avoid building even the unaffordable "affordable" housing.

The Guardian

Iranians need to hear that the west is applying sanctions as a means to avoid a worse confrontation, and that humanitarian goods like food and medicines are exempt.

The Guardian - Opinion

For residents, social distance serves as a means to avoid malfunctioning relationships.

International Business Review

For AC-TX the model represents aircraft movement during taxiing, including braking as a means to avoid a collision.

Complex Adaptive Systems Modeling

Martin Landau was enthusiastic about accepting the pivotal role of Abe Karatz as a means to avoid typecasting.

Wikipedia

Privately owned jail systems have created a means to avoid taking those prisoners characterized as serious or special.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "means to avoid", ensure the sentence clearly indicates what is being avoided and why. This helps maintain clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

While "means to avoid" is grammatically correct, overuse in informal writing can make the text sound stilted. Opt for simpler alternatives like "ways to prevent" or "how to dodge" in casual contexts to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "means to avoid" functions as a purpose connector, linking an action or strategy with the intention of preventing an undesirable outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable in written English, serving to express the intention behind an action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

31%

News & Media

28%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "means to avoid" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that connects an action or strategy to the goal of preventing something undesirable. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely accepted in written English. It is versatile enough for use in various contexts, including science, news media, and encyclopedias, though perhaps less suitable for very informal communication. Alternatives like "ways to prevent" and "strategies for averting" can provide stylistic variation. When using "means to avoid", clarity is key: ensure the sentence clearly indicates what is being avoided. By understanding its function, purpose, and register, writers can effectively incorporate "means to avoid" into their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ways to prevent

Focuses on the methods used for prevention, differing slightly in emphasis.

methods for preventing

Similar to "ways to prevent" but emphasizes the systematic nature of the methods.

strategies for averting

Suggests a more proactive and planned approach to avoiding something.

approaches to circumvent

Implies a clever or tactical way of avoiding something, often a rule or obstacle.

measures to preclude

Emphasizes the goal of making something impossible, often used in formal contexts.

plans to sidestep

Implies a deliberate strategy to avoid something, often a difficult issue or problem.

tactics for evading

Suggests a more direct and potentially deceptive way of avoiding something.

techniques to evade

Focuses on the skills or procedures used to avoid something.

steps to dodge

Suggests quickly and skillfully avoiding something, often with an element of luck.

resources for bypassing

Highlights the instruments or methods used to overcome an obstacle and avoid something.

FAQs

How can I use "means to avoid" in a sentence?

Use "means to avoid" to describe a method or strategy employed to prevent something undesirable from happening. For example, "Implementing stricter security protocols is a "means to avoid" data breaches".

What are some alternatives to "means to avoid"?

You can use alternatives such as "ways to prevent", "methods for preventing", or "strategies for averting" depending on the context.

Is "means to avoid" formal or informal?

The phrase "means to avoid" is generally considered neutral to formal, making it suitable for a variety of writing contexts, but in very informal contents is better to avoid.

What's the difference between "means to avoid" and "avoiding"?

"Means to avoid" refers to the specific method or strategy used, whereas "avoiding" is the act of preventing something. For example, "Careful planning is a "means to avoid" project delays," while "Avoiding procrastination can improve productivity".