please avoid that

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence 'please avoid that' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to politely instruct someone to do something, for example, "Please avoid having more than three people in the elevator at a time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

As a Canadian, I beg Australians to think hard on what's happening in Canada, and please avoid that in your country.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Church leaders printed up a sheet of talking points to help staff members deflect the charge that Bell was a universalist, because many Christians consider universalism heretical: "Love Wins" does not promote universalism as it is commonly understood (all will be saved, regardless of their faith), so we ask that you would please avoid using that term.

The New Yorker

Just a reminder: the Sunday puzzle contest is still going on, so please avoid discussing that puzzle in your comments.

The New York Times

Additionally, please avoid making global statements that are not entirely accurate (for example, "Current image analysis algorithms are optimized for roots that are continuously visible, since they are designed to work with images of roots grown in transparent media or on paper").

eLife

One final plea to all party leaders at the start of this conference season: please avoid verbless sentences and perorations that tell us that Britain is our home.

The Guardian - Opinion

Please avoid any posture or movement that causes any kind of pain or discomfort.

Huffington Post

If you don't watch shows that include sexual violence, please avoid "Outlander".

The New Yorker

Please be fair in your review; avoid digressive essays that do not address in a forthright manner the book under consideration; likewise, please avoid ad hominem criticisms.

Columbia University

"Can you please avoid the # during Ramadan?

The Guardian

Please avoid the Central Texas Market Place.

Independent

Can I please avoid being spotted on the plane?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and situation; a more formal setting might require a more elaborate and polite phrasing such as "I would appreciate it if you could refrain from that".

Common error

Avoid using "please avoid that" without a clear reference point. Ensure the context makes it obvious what "that" is referring to, or restate the specific action to avoid any ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "please avoid that" functions as an imperative, used to politely request or instruct someone to refrain from a specific action or topic. Ludwig's examples show it used in diverse scenarios, from personal requests to broader appeals.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

33%

Science

32%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "please avoid that" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to politely request the avoidance of a specific action or topic. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, including news, academia, and science. While generally neutral in register, it's important to ensure the reference of "that" is clear to prevent ambiguity. Alternatives such as "kindly refrain from that" or "please don't do that" can be used to adjust the level of formality or directness. The phrase is most effective when used with specificity and consideration of the audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

please don't do that

A more direct and simple way to ask someone to avoid doing something.

kindly refrain from that

Uses "kindly refrain" for a more formal and polite request.

refrain from that, please

Reorders the phrase for slightly different emphasis.

avoid that, if you please

Inverts the structure for emphasis and politeness.

it would be best to avoid that

Emphasizes the advisability of avoiding something.

it's best if you don't do that

Highlights the benefit of avoiding the action.

I'd prefer you not do that

Similar to "I'd rather you didn't do that" but slightly more direct.

please steer clear of that

Emphasizes avoiding something that could be problematic.

I'd rather you didn't do that

Expresses a preference against a particular action.

I ask you to not do that

A formal and somewhat demanding request.

FAQs

How can I use "please avoid that" in a sentence?

You can use "please avoid that" to politely request someone not to do something. For example, "Please avoid that topic during the meeting" or "As a Canadian, I beg Australians to think hard on what's happening in Canada, and "please avoid that" in your country."

What are some alternatives to saying "please avoid that"?

Alternatives include "kindly refrain from that", "please don't do that", or "it would be best to avoid that", depending on the level of formality and emphasis you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "please avoid that"?

It is appropriate in situations where a polite but firm request is needed to prevent someone from doing something undesirable. It is suitable for both formal and informal settings, though the tone should match the context.

Is "please avoid that" too direct or impolite?

While generally polite due to the inclusion of "please", the directness can be adjusted by adding softening phrases such as "if possible" or "if you could". The appropriateness depends on the relationship with the person you are addressing and the specific context.