prevent them from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prevent them from" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to show the action of stopping or hindering someone or something from doing something. Example: The lock on the door prevented them from entering the building. In this example, "prevent them from" is used to describe how the lock stopped or hindered the people from entering the building.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Stir often to prevent them from sticking.

The New York Times

Their disabilities prevent them from working.

The New York Times

"That will prevent them from assaulting us".

The New York Times

But the CEBS guidelines prevent them from doing so.

The Guardian - Business

Hardwood trees overshadow them and prevent them from growing.

The New York Times

Presumably their ovaries prevent them from reading autocues properly.

The Guardian - Film

"Arresting kids for drugs doesn't prevent them from doing drugs.

The New York Times

Use a lid to prevent them from spluttering everywhere.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

To prevent them from sending in troops from Kiev.

The Guardian

The views help prevent them from getting lonely.

The New York Times

"The issue is how to prevent them from being distorted".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "prevent them from", ensure clarity about what specific action or outcome you're aiming to avert. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens your writing.

Common error

Avoid assuming "prevent them from" implies a guaranteed outcome. Prevention reduces likelihood, but doesn't always ensure absolute elimination of the action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prevent them from" functions as a verb phrase expressing causation and prevention. It describes the action of stopping or hindering someone or something from performing a particular action. This is consistent with the Ludwig AI analysis.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Wiki

28%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "prevent them from" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate the act of stopping someone or something from doing something. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, it's widely used across various contexts including News & Media, Science and Wiki articles. Its neutral tone makes it suitable for diverse communication styles. When using the phrase, it's important to ensure that the subject being prevented and the action being averted are clearly defined. Consider alternatives like "stop them from" or "discourage them from" to diversify your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stop them from

A more direct and forceful way of expressing prevention.

prohibit them from

Implies a formal or legal ban on an action.

preclude them from

Suggests making something impossible or unfeasible.

discourage them from

Emphasizes influencing someone's decision rather than directly stopping them.

inhibit them from

Focuses on restraining or suppressing an action or impulse.

deter them from

Implies discouraging action through fear or doubt.

hinder them from

Similar to 'hamper', but can imply a more direct obstruction.

hamper them from

Highlights making something difficult, rather than completely preventing it.

eliminate them from

Suggests completely removing the possibility of something happening.

avoid them from

Focuses on circumventing a situation rather than directly preventing action.

FAQs

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

Use "prevent them from" to indicate stopping or hindering an action. For example, "The heavy rain prevented them from going to the beach".

What are some alternatives to "prevent them from"?

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

Is it grammatically correct to say "prevent from" without the "them"?

While grammatically sound in some contexts, it's generally clearer and more direct to specify who or what is being prevented, hence using "prevent them from" is usually preferred when referring to a specific group or entity.

What's the difference between "prevent them from" and "avoid them from"?

"Prevent them from" implies stopping an action directly, whereas "avoid them from" suggests circumventing a situation to not allow the action to occur in the first place.