prevent him from

USAGE SUMMARY

"prevent him from" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It is used to talk about taking an action to stop someone from doing something. Example sentence: We must prevent him from leaving.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It didn't prevent him from playing".

The New York Times - Sports

Term limits prevent him from running again.

The New York Times

Did she prevent him from studying?

The New Yorker

Some men outside prevent him from leaving.

The Guardian

His condition did not prevent him from holding court, however.

The New York Times - Books

At least we can prevent him from winning.

The New Yorker

Does anything prevent him from winning the Oscar forever?

The New Yorker

It did not prevent him from winning the state.

The Economist

And Kasparov failed to prevent him from recovering it.

The New York Times

It did not prevent him from excelling in school.

The New York Times

(Term limits prevent him from running for reëlection).

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "prevent him from", ensure the sentence clearly indicates what action is being prevented and the means of prevention. For example, "They built a wall to prevent him from escaping."

Common error

Avoid using other prepositions like 'to' or 'for' after "prevent". The correct structure is "prevent him from doing something", not "prevent him to do something" or "prevent him for doing something".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prevent him from" functions as a verbal phrase that introduces a clause expressing the prevention of a specific action. It highlights the act of stopping someone, aligning with Ludwig's AI which indicates it's a commonly used and grammatically sound construction. The phrase showcases an action taken to avert another.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Wiki

19%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "prevent him from" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate the act of stopping someone from doing something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in various contexts. Its usage spans from everyday conversation to formal writing, with prominent appearances in news, encyclopedias, science and wiki sources. When using "prevent him from", it's crucial to follow it with a verb in the gerund form (-ing) and avoid common preposition errors. Related phrases like "stop him from" or "hinder him from" offer alternative ways to express similar ideas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stop him from

This alternative is a more direct and common way to express the same idea, focusing on the act of stopping.

hinder him from

This suggests making it difficult for him to do something, implying less direct intervention.

block him from

This means creating an obstacle to prevent him, suggesting a physical or metaphorical barrier.

prohibit him from

This indicates a formal or legal ban, adding a layer of authority.

preclude him from

This alternative makes it impossible for him to act, suggesting a complete barrier.

deter him from

This suggests discouraging him through fear or doubt, rather than direct prevention.

impede him from

This implies slowing down or obstructing his progress, making it harder to act.

obstruct him from

This indicates actively getting in his way, making it harder for him to proceed.

restrain him from

This implies holding him back, often physically or emotionally.

inhibit him from

This suggests a psychological or internal barrier, affecting his willingness or ability.

FAQs

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

Use "prevent him from" to indicate stopping someone from doing something. For example, "The guards will prevent him from leaving." It requires a clear subject, the phrase, and the action being prevented.

What can I say instead of "prevent him from"?

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

Which is correct, "prevent him from leaving" or "prevent him to leave"?

"Prevent him from leaving" is correct. The phrase requires the preposition "from" followed by a gerund (verb ending in -ing). Using "to" is grammatically incorrect.

What is the difference between "prevent him from" and "protect him from"?

"Prevent him from" implies stopping an action before it occurs. "Protect him from" implies shielding someone from harm or danger. They are related but not interchangeable; for example you can "prevent him from falling" vs. protect him from the fall.