preferable to avoid

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "preferable to avoid" is not correct in standard English usage.
A more appropriate construction would be "preferable to avoid doing something" or "preferable to avoid that situation." Example: "It is preferable to avoid making hasty decisions when under pressure."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

Upshall, however, has learned it's preferable to avoid a full set up in each country.

The Guardian

A rubber tip is preferable to avoid skidding on waxed or marble floors, Dr. Richards said.

The New York Times

A step up in voltage is thus preferable to avoid resistive loss.

Materials Science and Engineering: B

We acknowledge that it would be preferable to avoid the confusion of having separate minimum and living wage rates.

The Guardian

It can be done, though 24 hours or even 48 hours is preferable to avoid a mad rush.

The New York Times - Travel

Rather than saying you must do this, the government can encourage shareholders". "It would be preferable to avoid a situation where excessive rewards are paid for failure.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

A reduction in the voxel from 0.4 to 0.25 mm improves the accuracy of the measurement but results in an increase in the radiogenic dose to the patient, and it is preferable therefore to avoid this in normal clinical practice [34].

Progress in Orthodontics

This view was supported by a recently published study, which documented that XELOX may be the preferable regimen to avoid the more severe neurotoxicity associated with FOLFOX, despite comparable oxaliplatin cumulative dose.

Cancer Management and Research

Acid free is, of course, the preferable option to avoid yellowing in your comic.

WikiHow

Before going, I had thought that a more precise identification of the play with a particular country South Africa, say, or Nigeria would be preferable, the better to avoid the pernicious notion that Africa is a country.

The New Yorker

Before going, I had thought that a more precise identification of the play with a particular country — South Africa, say, or Nigeria — would be preferable, the better to avoid the pernicious notion that Africa is a country.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For clarity and grammatical correctness, rephrase sentences using "preferable" with a clear action or situation to avoid. For example, instead of "It's preferable to avoid", try "It's preferable to avoid making hasty decisions."

Common error

Avoid using "preferable to avoid" without specifying what action or situation should be avoided. This omission can lead to ambiguity and weaken the sentence's meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase conveys a recommendation for a course of action aimed at preventing an undesirable outcome. Ludwig AI indicates, this construction, though common, is not grammatically sound, suggesting that while its function is clear, its form is not ideal.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

36%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

4%

Encyclopedias

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "preferable to avoid" is frequently used across diverse contexts, including science, news, and general writing, Ludwig AI highlights its grammatical imperfection. The phrase aims to recommend preventive actions. For enhanced clarity and formality, consider alternatives like "better to prevent" or "advisable to circumvent". In formal writing, restructuring the sentence to include a specific action or situation is advisable to enhance grammatical correctness. Despite its widespread use, awareness of its grammatical shortcomings ensures more effective and precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

better to prevent

Emphasizes the proactive aspect of preventing a negative outcome, shifting focus from preference to prevention.

advisable to circumvent

Suggests cleverly finding a way around something, adding a nuance of strategy and planning.

wiser to steer clear of

Highlights the prudence and wisdom in avoiding a particular situation or action.

recommended to preclude

Implies a formal recommendation to prevent something from happening, suitable for more structured contexts.

best to avert

Focuses on turning away or preventing something dangerous or unpleasant.

prudent to evade

Suggests skillfully escaping or avoiding something, emphasizing carefulness.

safer to bypass

Highlights choosing a route or method that avoids potential risks or problems.

desirable to obviate

Indicates making something unnecessary, eliminating the need to deal with it.

sensible to forego

Emphasizes the rationality of giving up something to avoid negative consequences.

strategic to sidestep

Suggests using a calculated maneuver to avoid an issue, focusing on strategic advantage.

FAQs

How can I correctly use the word "preferable" in a sentence?

Use "preferable" to indicate that one option is better than another. For example, "It is preferable to arrive early rather than late." You can also use it with a gerund: "It is preferable to avoid making hasty decisions."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "preferable to avoid"?

Consider using phrases like "better to prevent", "advisable to circumvent", or "wiser to steer clear of" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "preferable to avoid" grammatically correct?

While commonly used, the phrase "preferable to avoid" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. A more precise construction would be "preferable to avoid doing something" or "preferable to avoid that situation."

How does the level of formality impact the use of "preferable to avoid"?

Due to its somewhat informal nature and grammatical ambiguity, it is best to avoid using "preferable to avoid" in formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and grammatically sound alternatives, such as "recommended to preclude" or "best to avert".