preemptive measure

USAGE SUMMARY

'preemptive measure' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an action taken to anticipate or prevent something from happening. For example, "The government took a preemptive measure to ensure the safety of its citizens."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

The 1930 Production Code was established by studio moguls as a preemptive measure to head off the banning and censorship of their films..

The New Yorker

As a preemptive measure, I got a short Laurie Anderson spike haircut that I'd always wanted but was never bold enough to do, and it worked for a few weeks.

The New York Times

It's a sort of preemptive measure.

TechCrunch

Google, however, had not yet been sued by Mosaid, saying the complaint was a preemptive measure.

TechCrunch

I suspect this is a preemptive measure they're taking against the inevitable waves of privacy concerns we'll see if the service takes off.

TechCrunch

As a preemptive measure, authorities in Zhejiang province have ordered the immediate closure of all live poultry markets in the cities of Hangzhou, Ningbo, and Jinhua, according to the state news agency Xinhua.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Yet if employers take unnecessary preemptive measures in assuming their non-Christian employees will get mortally offended by calling a massive tree put up at Christmas a Christmas tree, it turns up the heat on an already volatile climate, and does a lot of members of religious minorities – such as me – no favours.

The Guardian - Opinion

High-Availability (HA) computing attempts to avoid the problems of unexpected failures through active redundancy and preemptive measures.

Journal of Computer and System Sciences

He suggested that that the success of those preemptive measures shouldn't be minimized.

Huffington Post

Some establishments, such as strip clubs and bars, are taking preemptive measures to stop the Glass-induced sea change.

Huffington Post

This report should get the five countries to pay heed to its conclusions and follow it up with preemptive measures before it becomes too late.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "preemptive measure", ensure the context clearly indicates what potential negative outcome is being prevented. This adds clarity and strengthens the justification for the action taken.

Common error

Avoid using "preemptive measure" when describing actions taken after a problem has already emerged. The phrase implies anticipation, so use it only when describing actions taken before an incident.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "preemptive measure" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it signifies an action taken in anticipation of a potential problem or threat.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "preemptive measure" describes an action taken to prevent something negative from happening. It's grammatically sound and, according to Ludwig AI, perfectly usable in written English. While not extremely common, it appears across various domains, including News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business writing. To use it effectively, clearly indicate the potential negative outcome being prevented and avoid using it in contexts where the action is reactive rather than anticipatory. Alternatives include "preventative step" and "proactive action". Ludwig's examples showcase the phrase's versatility and relevance in diverse situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

preventative step

Replaces "measure" with "step", slightly changing the emphasis but retaining the core meaning of prevention.

proactive action

Substitutes "preemptive" with "proactive" and "measure" with "action", focusing on initiative.

anticipatory move

Replaces "preemptive" with "anticipatory" and "measure" with "move", highlighting the act of foreseeing and acting upon it.

early intervention

Shifts the focus to intervening early to avert a potential problem.

precautionary action

Emphasizes caution and care in taking the measure.

advance precaution

Highlights the timing of the precaution, taken well before an event.

forestalling tactic

Focuses on preventing something from happening or arising.

preventive strategy

Highlights the strategic aspect of taking a preventive action.

mitigating step

Shifts the focus to reducing the severity of something that might occur.

safeguarding initiative

Emphasizes the protection aspect of the action taken.

FAQs

How can I use "preemptive measure" in a sentence?

You can use "preemptive measure" to describe an action taken to prevent something negative from occurring. For example, "The company implemented a strict cybersecurity policy as a "preemptive measure" against data breaches".

What phrases can I use instead of "preemptive measure"?

Alternatives include "preventative step", "proactive action", or "early intervention", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "preemptive measure" or "preventative measure"?

Both phrases are acceptable and have similar meanings. "Preemptive measure" often suggests acting before there's even a clear threat, while "preventative measure" implies addressing a known risk. Context will dictate the most appropriate choice.

What's the difference between a "preemptive measure" and a "reactive measure"?

A "preemptive measure" is taken in anticipation of a potential problem, whereas a "reactive measure" is a response to a problem that has already occurred. For example, installing a security system before a break-in is a preemptive action; repairing damage after a break-in is reactive.