only when unavoidable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "only when unavoidable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something should happen or be done solely in situations where it cannot be avoided. Example: "We will proceed with the changes only when unavoidable, to minimize disruption to our workflow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The "most expensive staff resources are only to deployed when unavoidable".

The Guardian

This leads to the second main "realist" tenet that emerges from "Warrior Politics": that the United States should accumulate great military power but fight only when it is unavoidable, and never for its democratic and humane values.

The New York Times - Books

This is why one should start a war only when it is absolutely unavoidable.

The New York Times

Perhaps everything will be O.K., but like the Titanic, we risk recognizing our danger only when a crash is unavoidable.

The New York Times

We need to resolve these cases either through loan mods when possible or foreclosures when unavoidable — only then will we get the housing market and the economy back on track".

The New York Times

It's only when their compensatory skills were outmatched by a particular and unavoidable challenge that they fell apart.

Huffington Post

This began to change only when some form of price-based intervention began to seem unavoidable in Scotland [ 21].

Addiction

While their use in some contexts is unavoidable, it is important to use them sparingly and only when necessary, to minimize undermining perceived autonomy.

BMC Medical Education

Only when V.C.U.

The New York Times - Sports

An imaginary ring of bent tube was proposed for understanding particle behavior when unavoidable bends exist.

Surface and Coatings Technology

"Only when I sleep.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "only when unavoidable" to clearly communicate that an action should be taken as a last resort, emphasizing the lack of alternative options. This is particularly useful in formal or professional settings where clarity and precision are paramount.

Common error

Avoid using "only when unavoidable" too frequently, as it can make your writing sound repetitive and overly cautious. Consider alternative phrasing to convey similar meanings with greater variety.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "only when unavoidable" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to specify the circumstances under which an action should occur. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability, indicating its role in adding a condition or restriction to an action.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "only when unavoidable" functions as an adverbial modifier indicating that an action should be taken only as a last resort. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It is versatile enough for both neutral and professional settings, emphasizing necessity and caution. While relatively infrequent, it's recommended to use the expression purposefully in situations where you are communicating the lack of better options.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

solely when necessary

Replaces "unavoidable" with "necessary", focusing on the essential nature of the action. The degree of semantic similarity is very high.

exclusively when compelled

Emphasizes the forced or driven nature of the action, replacing "unavoidable" with "compelled".

just when it can't be helped

Informal rephrasing using "can't be helped" to convey inevitability.

only if absolutely required

Stresses the absolute necessity of the action; less focus on unavoidability.

merely when there's no choice

Highlights the lack of alternatives. Emphasis is moved from the idea of unavoidable to a lack of choice.

specifically when it's a must

Replaces "unavoidable" with "a must", indicating something essential or obligatory.

particularly when indispensable

Focuses on the action being essential or crucial, using the word "indispensable".

precisely when essential

Emphasizes the exactness of the moment when something is absolutely necessary.

only in dire circumstances

Shifts the focus to the severity of the situation that makes the action necessary.

only as a last resort

Highlights the action as the final option when all other possibilities have been exhausted.

FAQs

How can I use "only when unavoidable" in a sentence?

You can use "only when unavoidable" to indicate that an action should be taken only in situations where there is no other choice. For example, "We will proceed with the changes "only when unavoidable", to minimize disruption to our workflow."

What are some alternatives to "only when unavoidable"?

Some alternatives to "only when unavoidable" include "solely when necessary", "just when it can't be helped", or "only if absolutely required" depending on the context.

Is "only when unavoidable" formal or informal?

"Only when unavoidable" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it is more commonly found in formal or professional settings where precision and clarity are important.

What does "only when unavoidable" emphasize?

"Only when unavoidable" emphasizes that an action should be taken as a last resort, when no other options are available or feasible.