not to foul

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not to foul" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to express the intention of avoiding a mistake or error, particularly in sports or other competitive situations. Example: "The player was careful not to foul during the game to avoid a penalty."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

decided not to foul.

The New York Times

Summitt told her not to foul.

The New York Times - Sports

"What's hard is not to foul her," Blair said.

The New York Times - Sports

Down by 6 points in the closing seconds, the Russians chose not to foul the Americans.

The New York Times - Sports

Perimeter defenders are taught not to foul, knowing they have a safety net behind them.

The New York Times - Sports

He also gave us the good sense not to foul our nest.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

We're fouling when we're not supposed to foul.

The New York Times - Sports

Helton said he did not want to foul anything up.

The New York Times - Sports

"We're not going to foul then," Casey said.

The New York Times - Sports

I actually thought two of his fouls came from not trying to foul," Rivers said.

Los Angeles Times

You do not want to foul up your beloved work of art!

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing strategy in sports, use "not to foul" to emphasize the intention to play defensively without committing penalties, thus maintaining possession or advantage.

Common error

Avoid using "not to foul" in contexts outside of sports or competitive situations where a 'foul' doesn't apply. Using it metaphorically can lead to confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not to foul" functions as an infinitive phrase expressing purpose or intention, particularly within the context of sports or games. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it indicates the aim to avoid committing a foul, thereby preventing penalties or giving advantages to the opposing team.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not to foul" is a commonly used phrase that indicates the intention to avoid committing fouls, primarily in sports-related contexts. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely accepted. The phrase is most prevalent in news and media, often used in reports and discussions of sports strategies and game analyses. While primarily neutral in register, understanding its specific context ensures effective communication. When writing, it's advisable to use "not to foul" in situations where strategic avoidance of penalties is crucial, while being mindful of its limited applicability outside of competitive scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

avoid fouling

Focuses on the action of fouling directly, replacing the purpose-driven 'not to' with a simple avoidance.

refrain from fouling

Adds a sense of deliberate self-control and conscious effort to avoid fouling.

prevent from fouling

Emphasizes the act of stopping someone or something from fouling, rather than avoiding it personally.

steer clear of fouling

Uses a more informal and vivid expression to convey avoiding fouls.

ensure no fouls occur

Shifts the focus to guaranteeing the absence of fouls, rather than individual restraint.

make sure not to commit a foul

Expands the phrase to explicitly include the action of committing a foul, adding clarity.

be careful not to foul

Introduces an element of caution and mindfulness in avoiding fouls.

take care to avoid fouling

Similar to 'be careful', but with a slightly more formal tone.

dodge the fouls

Suggests skillful evasion of situations that could lead to fouls.

keep from fouling

Emphasizes maintaining a state of not fouling.

FAQs

How can I use "not to foul" in a sentence?

You can use "not to foul" when describing a strategy or intention in a sport or competitive situation, such as: "The coach instructed the players "not to foul" in the final minutes of the game to preserve their lead".

What does it mean "not to foul" in basketball?

In basketball, "not to foul" means to play defense in a way that avoids committing any violations that would give the opposing team free throws or possession of the ball. It's a strategy to maintain control of the game without giving the other team easy opportunities to score.

What can I say instead of "not to foul"?

You can use alternatives like "avoid fouling", "refrain from fouling", or "prevent from fouling" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "avoid a foul" or "not to foul"?

Both phrases are acceptable, but ""not to foul"" is generally used when discussing strategy or intention, while "avoid a foul" is more general. For example, "The strategy was "not to foul"", versus "He tried to avoid a foul".