move to preempt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "move to preempt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is taking action to prevent something from happening, often in discussions about strategy or decision-making. Example: "In order to avoid potential conflicts, the committee decided to move to preempt any objections by addressing the concerns upfront."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

In a move to preempt controversy and calm things down at the media launch of his Museum of Contemporary Art show in Sydney, Grayson Perry offered an apology to Indigenous Australian artists.

The Guardian - Arts

Drug Makers Move to Preempt Regulations With an eye toward the incoming administration, drug companies are trying to clean up their image, The Washington Post reports.

The New York Times - Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The chieftains of eight of the nation's largest banks could receive a tongue-lashing when they testify before a House committee today, but some on Wall Street have moved to preempt the withering criticism by proposing their own solutions to the economic meltdown.

The Washington Post

Musk has moved to preempt a crisis by folding the solar-services provider into Tesla, but Tesla could soon be facing its own problems.

Forbes

Alvarez reports that about 80 local governments in Florida have moved to ban or regulate fracking, while the state legislature is moving to preempt local control and enact a more permissive statewide rule.

Huffington Post

Any move by Trump to preempt it would again only undermine his credibility.

Los Angeles Times

Obama's advisors explain the President's moves are designed to "preempt" the resurgent Republicans – just like Bill Clinton preempted the Gingrich crowd by announcing "the era of big government is over" and then tacking right.

University of California, Berkeley

The union saw the July move as an attempt to preempt the negotiations and undermine union militancy.

Los Angeles Times

Logistically challenged critics said that Churchill (and Franklin D. Roosevelt) should have quickly poured in Allied troops to preempt the German move.

Forbes

The VRS began to plan replacing the JNA in the region, since the pullout would expose an unprotected flank of the VRS in Popovo field, and the HV planned to preempt the VRS move.

Wikipedia

But the languid pace of Trump's agenda — apart from deregulation bills passed through the Congressional Review Act, nothing much has moved through Congress — has prompted Democrats to preempt Trump bills with their own.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the formality of your audience. While generally acceptable, "move to preempt" might be replaced with more formal alternatives like "act to prevent" in academic or highly professional settings.

Common error

Avoid using "move to preempt" when the action taken is merely reactive, not proactive. This phrase implies an attempt to get ahead of a situation, not simply respond to it after it has already begun.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "move to preempt" functions as a verb phrase indicating an intentional action to prevent something anticipated. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "move to preempt" is a grammatically sound and usable verb phrase that describes taking action to prevent something anticipated. According to Ludwig AI, it is correct and usable in written English. While generally neutral in tone, it can be used in varied settings, as shown in examples from news sources and academic articles. Though "move to preempt" is found less frequently than other phrases, several semantically related options exist, like "act to prevent" or "take steps to avert", that can provide alternative wording based on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

act to prevent

Focuses on the action taken to stop something.

take steps to avert

Emphasizes avoiding a negative outcome.

work to forestall

Highlights proactive efforts to hinder something.

seek to preclude

Focuses on making something impossible.

endeavor to impede

Stresses efforts to slow down or block progress.

aim to thwart

Highlights the intention to frustrate or defeat.

strive to obviate

Emphasizes the removal of a need or difficulty.

undertake to counteract

Focuses on neutralizing or opposing a force.

maneuver to forestall

Highlights strategic moves to prevent an action.

try to stave off

Emphasizes delaying or preventing something bad.

FAQs

How can I use "move to preempt" in a sentence?

You can use "move to preempt" to describe actions taken to prevent something from happening, such as "The company decided to "move to preempt" potential lawsuits by issuing a product recall".

What are some alternatives to "move to preempt"?

Alternatives include "act to prevent", "take steps to avert", or "work to forestall" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "move to preempt" formal or informal?

The phrase "move to preempt" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives may be preferred in certain academic or professional settings.

What does "move to preempt" imply about the action being taken?

It implies a proactive approach aimed at preventing something undesirable from occurring, rather than simply reacting to an existing problem. It suggests strategic planning and foresight.