prevent this

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prevent this" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing actions or measures taken to stop something undesirable from happening. Example: "We need to implement stricter safety protocols to prevent this from occurring again."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Could anything prevent this?

The New York Times

You can help prevent this".

The New York Times

You cannot prevent this.

The Guardian

Only President Obama can prevent this outcome.

The New York Times

"We must prevent this by all means".

The New York Times

The tribunal did nothing to prevent this.

The Economist

What can prevent this from happening?

The New York Times

"It is impossible to prevent this completely".

The New York Times

Governors were devised to prevent this.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Annuities prevent this from happening.

The Guardian

We want to prevent this and we will prevent this.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, ensure the context clearly defines what "this" refers to, avoiding ambiguity. Providing specific details enhances clarity and prevents misunderstanding.

Common error

Avoid using "prevent this" without a clear antecedent. Ensure the reader knows exactly what "this" refers to. Otherwise, rewrite to include the specific noun or noun phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prevent this" functions as a directive, expressing the need to stop a particular action or outcome. It is commonly used to advocate for intervention or caution, as evidenced by the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

17%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "prevent this" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that serves as a direct call to action, urging the avoidance of a specified event or outcome. As Ludwig AI highlights, this phrase appears predominantly in news and media, science, and informal writing contexts. When using "prevent this", clarity is key: make sure the reader knows exactly what "this" refers to. Alternatives such as "avoid this" or "stop this" can be used for nuanced emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

avoid this

Focuses on steering clear of something before it happens.

stop this

Directly indicates halting something in progress or preventing it from starting.

avert this

Implies turning away or warding off something, often something dangerous or negative.

forestall this

Suggests acting in advance to prevent something from occurring.

preclude this

Emphasizes making something impossible or excluding it.

block this

Indicates obstructing or hindering something to prevent it from happening.

hinder this

Suggests impeding or slowing down something to reduce the likelihood of it happening.

obviate this

Implies removing the need for something by preventing a situation from arising.

counteract this

Involves taking action to neutralize or offset something undesirable.

mitigate this

Focuses on lessening the severity or impact of something if it cannot be completely prevented.

FAQs

How can I use "prevent this" in a sentence?

Use "prevent this" when you want to express the need to stop something from happening. For example, "We must take measures to prevent this from occurring again."

What are some alternatives to saying "prevent this"?

You can use alternatives like "avoid this", "stop this", or "avert this" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "prevent this" or "prevent it"?

Both "prevent this" and "prevent it" are grammatically correct, but "prevent this" is generally used when the context is immediately clear. "Prevent it" is often used when referring to something previously mentioned but not in the immediate context.

How does "prevent this" differ from "avoid this"?

"Prevent this" suggests stopping something from happening altogether, while "avoid this" implies steering clear of a situation or action to keep something from occurring.