must prevent that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "must prevent that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing the necessity to stop or avoid a specific action or outcome. Example: "We must prevent that from happening to ensure the safety of our community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

We must prevent that from happening.

The New York Times

"We must prevent that the problems in Cyprus become problems for other countries," Mr. Schäuble said.

The New York Times

First of all, we must prevent that the different network nodes become aware of the different pseudonyms employed by each node.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"Many different scenarios could lead us into 'The Guns of August.' Our goal must be to prevent that".

The New York Times

And apparently dumping Google as a partner is what its managers feel they must do to prevent that rival in the future deciding what it can or cannot do.

The Guardian - Tech

On mountain or in lab, conflict is inevitable, but the leader must intervene to prevent that conflict from simmering or erupting into full-scale rebellion.

Science Magazine

These studies are a start, but we need more data and more analysis because we must prevent pollution that can harm human health and the environment.

Huffington Post

To prevent that, Mali must rediscover the tolerance Mr. Seck grew up with, when his Muslim parents sent him to a Catholic school.

The New York Times

To prevent that, crews must use disposable clothes and shoe covers and disinfect their hands and equipment after vaccinating each flock, said Dr. David A. Halvorson, a professor of avian health at the University of Minnesota.

The New York Times

To prevent that, controllers must keep a hockey-puck-shaped safety zone at least 5 kilometers in diameter and 300 meters thick around each plane.

Forbes

There are four quarters, and you must follow them all to prevent that defeat.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "must prevent that", ensure the context clearly defines what "that" refers to, avoiding ambiguity. Clearly stating the potential negative outcome enhances clarity.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "must prevent that" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for alternatives like "need to stop that" or "have to avoid that" in informal settings to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "must prevent that" functions as a directive, expressing a strong obligation or necessity to avoid a specific action or outcome. Ludwig AI indicates it as grammatically correct, and examples show its usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

17%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "must prevent that" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express a strong necessity to avert a particular outcome. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase appears across diverse contexts, including news, science, and business, although it may come across as overly formal in casual settings. To maintain clarity, be specific about what "that" refers to. Alternative phrases, such as "it is imperative to avert that" or "need to stop that", can be used to modulate the tone. The selection of which authoritative sources use it, reflect the importance of this expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that outcome must be prevented

Specifies that the focus is on preventing a particular result.

that must be avoided

Passive voice, focusing on the thing to be prevented rather than the actor.

it is imperative to avert that

Emphasizes urgency and importance in avoiding the situation.

it's crucial to forestall that

Highlights the importance of acting in advance to hinder the event.

measures must be taken to prevent that

Focuses on the actions required to achieve prevention.

we have to stop that from happening

More informal, focusing on directly intervening to prevent the action.

action is needed to prevent that

Highlights the immediate necessity of intervention.

it's necessary to preclude that

Formal, indicating a need to make something impossible.

steps must be implemented to prevent that

Suggests a planned and systematic approach to prevention.

we should block that

More direct and action-oriented.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "must prevent that" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "it is imperative to avert that" or "it is crucial to forestall that". These alternatives emphasize the significance of preventing the specified outcome.

What are some informal alternatives to "must prevent that"?

In informal contexts, you can use phrases such as "need to stop that" or "have to avoid that". These options maintain the sense of necessity while sounding less rigid.

What's the difference between "must prevent that" and "should prevent that"?

"Must prevent that" indicates a stronger obligation or necessity compared to "should prevent that". "Must" implies a critical requirement, whereas "should" suggests a recommendation or advisability.

Is it always necessary to explicitly state what "that" refers to when using "must prevent that"?

While not always grammatically required, explicitly stating what "that" refers to can significantly improve clarity. If the context doesn't make it immediately obvious, specifying the outcome you're trying to prevent avoids ambiguity.