prevent from doing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prevent from doing" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate stopping someone or something from performing a specific action. Example: "The new regulations aim to prevent companies from polluting the environment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Mr. Tierney doesn't mention those doctors, whom the D.E.A. must prevent from doing harm.

The New York Times

FolloWhenss on Twitter.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

What has Trump been prevented from doing?

The New Yorker

"We would be prevented from doing so; we are prevented from doing so".

The Guardian

Casey was prevented from doing so at the Democratic National Convention.

The New Yorker

Women are not just prevented from participating or socialising; they are prevented from doing their jobs.

The Guardian

"It does by indirection what lawyers are prevented from doing directly".

The New York Times

Under City rules he is now prevented from doing so until August 14.

The Guardian - Business

"We were prevented from doing that by A.M.S.F.C. because of lobbying by the recreational fishery.

The New York Times

So should he and his counsel have been prevented from doing so?

The Guardian - Opinion

Several had either travelled abroad to fight with extremists or had been prevented from doing so.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "prevent from doing" when you want to emphasize the act of stopping something before it happens. For instance: "Regular exercise can "prevent from doing" harm to your health."

Common error

Avoid using other prepositions in place of "from" after "prevent". It's grammatically incorrect to say "prevent to doing" or "prevent in doing". Always use "prevent from doing".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prevent from doing" functions as a verb phrase that indicates the action of stopping someone or something from performing a particular action. Ludwig AI's analysis and example usages show that it’s commonly used to express the idea of hindering or averting an event.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

31%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "prevent from doing" is a grammatically sound and versatile construction used to express the action of stopping something from happening. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability across various contexts. It is particularly common in news, science, and general discourse. When writing, remember to use the correct preposition "from" to avoid errors. Alternatives such as "stop from doing" or "prohibit from doing" can be used for variety, although "prevent from doing" maintains a neutral and widely accepted tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stop from doing

Uses a more direct verb ("stop") instead of "prevent", indicating a more immediate action.

block from doing

Implies a physical or metaphorical barrier preventing action.

prohibit from doing

Indicates a formal or legal ban on an action.

hinder from doing

Suggests a slowing down or obstruction, rather than a complete stop.

preclude from doing

Indicates making something impossible or unattainable.

restrain from doing

Implies a holding back, often against a strong desire or impulse.

deter from doing

Implies discouraging someone through fear or doubt.

discourage from doing

Suggests advising against an action, often through persuasion.

inhibit from doing

Suggests a psychological or internal barrier to action.

impede from doing

Similar to "hinder", suggesting an obstruction to progress.

FAQs

What does "prevent from doing" mean?

The phrase "prevent from doing" means to stop someone or something from performing a particular action or activity. It implies averting or hindering an event or behavior.

How can I use "prevent from doing" in a sentence?

You can use "prevent from doing" to describe actions taken to stop something undesirable from occurring. For example: "The new security measures aim to "prevent from doing" further cyberattacks."

What are some alternatives to "prevent from doing"?

You can use alternatives like "stop from doing", "hinder from doing", or "prohibit from doing" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "prevent from doing" and "avoid doing"?

"Prevent from doing" implies stopping an action before it starts or while it's in progress, whereas "avoid doing" suggests deliberately steering clear of an action. "Avoid doing" something is about choosing not to do it, while "prevent from doing" is about stopping someone else or something else.