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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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prevent missing

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prevent missing" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to express the idea of avoiding something from being missed, but it lacks clarity and proper grammatical structure. Example: "To ensure we stay on schedule, we need to prevent missing any important deadlines."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

This study shows that a combination of a multiplex PCR assay, viral antigen, and/or culture should be used to detect variants of RSV in patients and that multiplex respiratory viral assays should develop a more robust design that includes multiple genetic target per virus to prevent missing viruses that continue to have genetic variances.

This requires choosing a suitable heat transfer method to prevent missing energy in buildings.

And that is pretty interesting, because those firms teach us what existing players can do to prevent missing the boat, and becoming obsolete when their environments change – a problem that clearly bugs many of them.

News & Media

Forbes

To prevent missing these opportunities and to truly make the most of them, we must examine the in-betweens along the way rather than simply seeing them in our rear view mirrors.

News & Media

Huffington Post

In such cases, proxy reporting may help to prevent missing data.

19 All questions administered on paper were checked by the research assistant to prevent missing data.

Science

BMJ Open
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Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

Also, the substantial duty cycle achieved by mounting close to the axle helps to prevent missed signals or errors in the signal processing.

Valcke made the statement despite a call for goal-line technology to prevent missed calls like the one on Lampard's shot — ranging from the video reviews used to detect goals in the N.H.L. and home runs in baseball; to the electronic Hawk-eye system used in tennis; to a proposed sensor system to detect whether a soccer ball crosses the goal line.

Radiographic evaluation of these patients should be done carefully to prevent missed diagnosis.

High degree of suspicion and careful examination were needed to prevent missed diagnosis and prolonged instability which may be inevitable after inappropriate treatment of such injury.

Personalized alerts prevent missed emails and delayed responses, which can hold up simple tasks and lead to bottlenecks.

News & Media

HuffPost
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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to express the idea of avoiding something being missed, it is better to opt for more conventional and grammatically correct alternatives such as "avoid missing", "ensure nothing is missed", or "prevent it from being missed".

Common error

Avoid using the phrasing "prevent missing" in formal writing. While understandable, it is not considered standard English and can detract from clarity and professionalism. Instead, choose more grammatically correct alternatives to convey your intended meaning.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

82%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prevent missing" functions as a verb phrase aimed at expressing the action of stopping something from being overlooked or omitted. Ludwig examples showcase attempts to use it across various contexts, although it's flagged by Ludwig AI as incorrect.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

72%

News & Media

20%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "prevent missing" appears across diverse sources, including scientific and news media, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect and non-standard in English. Ludwig AI identifies it as such. Though the intention is understandable – to convey the importance of avoiding omissions – it's advisable to opt for more grammatically sound alternatives like "avoid missing", "ensure nothing is missed", or "prevent something from being missed". These alternatives enhance clarity and are more suitable for formal and professional contexts. Despite its usage in certain contexts, its non-standard nature makes it less preferable for polished writing.

FAQs

What's a grammatically correct alternative to "prevent missing"?

You can use phrases like "avoid missing", "ensure nothing is missed", or "prevent it from being missed" depending on the specific context.

Is "prevent missing" considered formal English?

No, "prevent missing" is not considered formal English. It's better to use more standard and grammatically correct alternatives in formal writing.

How can I rephrase a sentence containing "prevent missing" for better clarity?

Consider rephrasing to emphasize the action of avoiding something being overlooked. For instance, instead of saying "We need to prevent missing any deadlines", try "We must "ensure that no deadlines are missed"".

What's the difference between "prevent missing" and "avoid missing"?

"Avoid missing" is more grammatically sound and widely accepted. "Prevent missing", while understandable, is not standard English. Using "avoid missing" enhances clarity and professionalism.

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Source & Trust

82%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: