must be averted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "must be averted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the necessity of preventing something undesirable from happening. Example: "To ensure the safety of our community, any potential hazards must be averted before they escalate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The divine power must be averted in order to preserve human life.

Encyclopedia Britannica

As a matter of practice (but not necessarily theory), convincing someone that a future crisis must be averted requires a higher level of persuasion than making the case for a policy that is claimed to ameliorate some extant problem.

The New York Times

"While we are celebrating announcements on paper today, forests and forest peoples are facing imminent threats that must be averted if we want the declaration to become reality," he said.

The Guardian

Aficionados everywhere will recognise the charm of clubs where everyone seems to know each other and the eyes must be averted from the aimless agricultural clearance in the wait for the bursts of proper football that the best non-League clubs try to encourage.

The Guardian - Sport

To reach the goal of decreasing deaths of children who have not yet reached their fifth birthday to four million in 2015, we estimate that 4.4 million children's deaths must be averted in the next 1,000 days.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Top climatologists, such as James Hansen, now warn atmospheric CO2 must be reduced to 350 ppm, if global catastrophe is to be averted.

The Guardian - Opinion

The oncoming threat can be averted with proper use of technology and sufficient funding, but efforts must begin soon if they are to succeed.

The New Yorker

The NHS must "work smarter" and treat fewer people in large hospitals, if a financial crisis is to be averted, the Health Secretary, Andrew Lansley, has warned.

Independent

Panic had to be averted.

The New Yorker

The worst may yet be averted.

The Economist

However, it can be averted.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, consider the specific nuance of "averted." It often implies diverting or warding off something imminent, rather than simply preventing it from ever arising.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "must be averted" carries a formal tone. Avoid using it in casual conversations or informal writing where simpler alternatives like "needs to be avoided" or "has to be prevented" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "must be averted" functions as a modal verb phrase, expressing a strong obligation or necessity for something to be prevented. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness and usability of the phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

17%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Science

8%

Wiki

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "must be averted" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that signifies the critical necessity of preventing a negative outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s most commonly found in news, business and encyclopedia contexts, where a formal and urgent tone is appropriate. While effective in conveying a sense of importance and action, remember to consider the context and opt for simpler alternatives in informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

needs to be prevented

This alternative replaces the modal verb "must" with "needs" and "averted" with "prevented", offering a slightly less formal tone.

it's essential to avert

This version stresses the essential nature of averting something.

has to be avoided

This option uses "has to be" which provides a similar sense of obligation and replaces "averted" with "avoided", focusing on evasion.

it's vital to prevent

This highlights the vital importance of the prevention.

it is crucial to avoid

This alternative emphasizes the importance of avoidance.

is imperative to prevent

This option is more emphatic, highlighting the urgency of prevention rather than simply stating its necessity.

should be prevented

Using "should" softens the sense of necessity compared to "must", making it a weaker recommendation for prevention.

ought to be avoided

This phrase is a more formal alternative, using "ought to" instead of "must" and "avoided" instead of "averted".

must be forestalled

"Forestalled" implies proactive measures to prevent something from happening, adding a layer of anticipation to the prevention.

must not happen

This alternative offers a direct and simple way of conveying the necessity of preventing something from occurring.

FAQs

How can I use "must be averted" in a sentence?

The phrase "must be averted" is used to emphasize the necessity of preventing something negative from happening. For example, "To avoid further damage, the impending crisis "must be averted" immediately".

What are some alternatives to "must be averted"?

You can use alternatives such as "needs to be prevented", "has to be avoided", or "should be prevented depending on the level of emphasis you want to convey.

Is "must be averted" formal or informal?

The phrase "must be averted" leans toward the formal side. In more casual settings, consider using phrases like "needs to be avoided" or "has to be stopped".

What does "averted" mean in the context of "must be averted"?

In this context, "averted" means to ward off or prevent something negative from occurring. It suggests a proactive effort to avoid a potentially harmful situation.