meant to avoid

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "meant to avoid" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing an intention or purpose behind an action that is intended to prevent something from happening. Example: "The new policy is meant to avoid any misunderstandings between departments."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Selahattin Sevi, the paper's photo editor, said the project was meant to avoid an orientalist viewpoint.

The New York Times

This left them exposed to the very subprime assets they were meant to avoid.

The Economist

The final straw was politics, the very thing the project was meant to avoid.

The New York Times

The warning is meant to avoid a crisis in Asia while American forces are busy elsewhere.

The New York Times

EU regulations are meant to avoid the destruction of crucial natural peat and grass habitats.

The Guardian

The unusual approach is meant to avoid further damage to relations with Egypt.

The New York Times

No one understood at the time that he meant to avoid nation-building at home, too.

The Guardian

The approach is meant to avoid a political war of attrition over every large, popular tax break.

The New York Times

The Maastricht treaty of 1992 proscribed bail-outs of improvident member nations, which was meant to avoid such issues ever arising.

The Economist

The commission could deadlock, or see its proposal voted down, precipitating the sort of market disruption the scheme was meant to avoid.

The Economist

So they hire only on short-term contracts, reinforcing precisely the insecurity that the system of job protection was meant to avoid.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "meant to avoid", ensure that the subject clearly indicates who or what is performing the action to prevent something. Clarity enhances readability and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "meant to avoid" in overly passive constructions that obscure the actor. Instead of "Mistakes are meant to be avoided", try "The training program is meant to help employees avoid mistakes".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "meant to avoid" functions primarily as an infinitive phrase that acts as an adjectival modifier, describing the purpose or intention behind a noun or action. As Ludwig AI also confirms, it indicates the aim of preventing a specific outcome or situation. For example, "The changes are meant to avoid further delays."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

24%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "meant to avoid" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to indicate the purpose behind actions taken to prevent certain outcomes. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions as an infinitive phrase, modifying nouns by clearly stating a preventative intention. Its usage spans various contexts, from news and media to scientific literature, demonstrating its broad applicability. While generally neutral in tone, writers should be mindful of maintaining clarity and avoiding overly passive constructions when using this phrase. Alternatives such as "intended to prevent" and "designed to evade" offer nuanced options for expressing similar concepts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Intended to prevent

Uses "intended" instead of "meant", directly expressing the purpose of prevention.

Aimed at preventing

Highlights the goal or objective of stopping something undesirable.

With the purpose of avoiding

More explicitly states the intention to steer clear of something.

Designed to evade

Focuses on skillfully escaping or circumventing something, suggesting a more strategic approach.

In an effort to avert

Suggests a concerted attempt to ward off something potentially harmful.

So as not to encounter

Emphasizes the desire to not come into contact with a particular situation or thing.

Constructed to preclude

Highlights the building or creation of something with the specific intention of making something impossible.

Geared towards circumventing

This implies something is specifically tailored to avoid or bypass something

Calculated to preclude

This implies a careful plan to prevent something from happening

Engineered to forestall

Indicates a proactive design to prevent something from occurring, often with a sense of urgency.

FAQs

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

Use "meant to avoid" to describe the purpose or intention behind an action or strategy, especially when aiming to prevent something undesirable. For example, "The new traffic regulations are "meant to avoid" congestion during peak hours."

What are some alternatives to "meant to avoid"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "intended to prevent", "designed to evade", or "aimed at preventing".

Is it better to say "intended to avoid" or "meant to avoid"?

Both "meant to avoid" and "intended to avoid" are grammatically correct and often interchangeable. "Intended" may sound slightly more formal, but the choice largely depends on the desired tone and context.

What's the difference between "meant to avoid" and "trying to avoid"?

"Meant to avoid" describes the planned or designed purpose, whereas "trying to avoid" implies an ongoing effort or attempt. For example, "The policy is "meant to avoid" conflicts", but "He is "trying to avoid" making the same mistake again".