merely to avoid

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "merely to avoid" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when explaining an action taken for the sole purpose of preventing something undesirable from happening. Example: "He changed his plans merely to avoid any potential conflicts with his colleagues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

The Bermuda operation was merely to avoid paying US tax.

The Guardian

It seems clear that the C.I.A. attempted to censor the book merely to avoid embarrassing publicity.

The New York Times

Bankruptcy proceedings in Europe are messy, and merely to avoid the tangle of multiple jurisdictions is appealing.

The Economist

Nixon should indeed have been aggressive about civil rights, but not merely to avoid a floor fight.

The New York Times

And the purpose of this institution is not merely to avoid conflict, it is to galvanize the collective action that makes life better on this planet.

The New York Times

I'd like to assure you that I remain committed to our goal of crushing Camp Screaming Eagle at the next All-Lake, and that I partake of their superior cuisine and comforts merely to avoid suspicion.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

For Mr. Combs and all the other hip-hop capitalists, the object isn't merely to take, but to avoid being tooken.

The New York Times

One of the most fascinating aspects of the current techmania is how investors have forgotten that this is a business where almost every penny in profits must be plowed back, not merely for expansion, but to avoid obsolescence.

Forbes

; This is a business where almost every penny in profits must be plowed back, not merely for expansion, but to avoid obsolescence.; This fresh supply could drive chip prices down to $3 or $4. Bad news for Micron Technology, Texas Instruments, Atmel and others.

Forbes

It is unclear what thought is being expressed here, but perhaps Aristotle is merely trying to avoid a possible misunderstanding: when he says that pleasure completes an activity, he does not mean that the activity it accompanies is in some way defective, and that the pleasure improves the activity by removing this defect.

SEP

I was merely seeking to avoid an unnecessary media circus.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "merely to avoid", ensure the context clearly indicates that the avoidance is the primary and perhaps only reason for the action being taken. Avoid ambiguity by explicitly stating what is being avoided.

Common error

Avoid using "merely to avoid" when the motivation behind an action is multifaceted. Overusing this phrase can oversimplify complex decisions and obscure other contributing factors. In these cases, consider using phrases that reflect multiple motivations such as "partly to avoid" or "in order to both achieve X and avoid Y."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "merely to avoid" functions as an infinitive of purpose, specifying the sole intention behind an action. Ludwig shows it often connects a subject's action with the aim of preventing a negative outcome, clarifying motivations in a concise manner.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "merely to avoid" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that expresses the sole intention behind an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is most frequently found in news and media sources but is also present in scientific contexts. When writing, remember that "merely to avoid" should only be used when the avoidance is the only reason for the action. Consider alternatives like "simply to evade" or "just to prevent" if the context requires a slightly different nuance. Always be aware of potential overuse, as complex situations usually involve multiple motivations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

simply to evade

Replaces "merely" with "simply" and "avoid" with "evade", suggesting a straightforward attempt to escape something.

just to prevent

Substitutes "merely" with "just" and "avoid" with "prevent", indicating a basic action to stop something from happening.

solely for the purpose of avoiding

Expands the phrase to emphasize the single intention of avoiding something.

only in an effort to dodge

Uses "only" instead of "merely" and "dodge" instead of "avoid", conveying a sense of active maneuvering.

purely to circumvent

Replaces "avoid" with "circumvent", implying a strategy to bypass something.

exclusively to avert

Substitutes "merely" with "exclusively" and "avoid" with "avert", suggesting a focused effort to prevent something negative.

primarily to steer clear of

Uses "steer clear of" as a more colloquial alternative to "avoid", indicating a desire to keep a distance.

mainly with the intention of evading

Highlights the intention behind the action, using "evading" to suggest elusiveness.

largely to keep away from

Emphasizes the desire to stay distant from something, using "keep away from" as a more descriptive alternative.

principally to preclude

Replaces "avoid" with "preclude", indicating an action to make something impossible.

FAQs

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

Use "merely to avoid" to indicate that the sole purpose of an action is to prevent something undesirable from happening. For example, "He accepted the compromise "merely to avoid" a prolonged conflict."

What phrases are similar to "merely to avoid"?

Alternatives include "simply to evade", "just to prevent", or "solely for the purpose of avoiding". The choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to use "merely to avoid" in formal writing?

Yes, "merely to avoid" is appropriate for formal writing. It's a clear and concise way to express intention. However, consider whether a more sophisticated synonym might enhance the tone in some contexts.

What's the difference between "merely to avoid" and "in order to avoid"?

"Merely to avoid" emphasizes that avoidance is the only reason for an action. "In order to avoid" simply indicates that avoidance is a reason, but not necessarily the only one. The phrase "in order to avoid" doesn't explicitly exclude other motivations.