preventable

USAGE SUMMARY

'preventable' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it as an adjective to describe something that could have been prevented by taking an action. For example: "The outbreak of the virus was largely preventable if people had followed the safety protocols."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

We would like to know why the intelligence and security services failed to stop what was described at the Fatal Accident Inquiry as "a preventable disaster".It cannot be useful in preventing further terrorist attacks for Lockerbie to remain "a mystery", as it was called recently by a well-informed academic.

The Economist

Such changes happen for two reasons: people's general health is better, meaning they wear out later, and preventable deaths of the relatively young are, in fact, prevented.

The Economist

The most depressing thing is that so much of the extra sickness in winter and increased pressure on the health service would be much less severe, or altogether preventable, if only everyone lived in a home they could afford to heat.

The Guardian - Opinion

On average at least one woman is killed as a result of domestic violence in Australia every week, and it is the biggest contributor to preventable ill-health and premature death in women under 45, according to VicHealth.

The Guardian

Moreover, 99% of all maternal deaths occur in these countries and they are all preventable.

The Guardian

Smoking remains the biggest preventable cause of cancer and is implicated in almost one in five cases.

The Guardian

In fact the United States has a higher rate of preventable deaths – 48,000 last year - than France or the UK.

The Guardian

A widely cited, peer-reviewed Harvard study published in the American Journal of Public Health in 2009 found that for every 1 million persons who were uninsured there were about 1,000 related, preventable deaths.

The Guardian

"Smoking related disease remains the main cause of preventable deaths in the UK, killing more than 100 000 people each year.

The Guardian

Already, there is evidence of people losing confidence in the healthcare they are likely to receive, leading to them failing to come forward for treatment not just for Ebola but for other preventable, yet life-threatening, diseases.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

This might not be a problem if it were a drug for TB, malaria or AIDS – but critics of the HPV donation asked why cervical cancer received such a comprehensive effort in Rwanda – reaching 95% for 11-year-old girls when disease incidence lags well behind other vaccine-preventable diseases in the developing world (read the Rwandan health minister's persuasive rebuttal).

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing public health issues, use "preventable" to emphasize that certain illnesses or deaths could be avoided with the right measures.

Common error

Avoid using "preventable" as a verb or noun. It's an adjective. For example, instead of saying "We need to preventable this", say "We need to prevent this" or "This is a preventable situation".

Linguistic Context

Preventable functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate that something is capable of being prevented. Ludwig AI confirms this, showing many examples where "preventable" describes negative outcomes like "diseases", "deaths", or "disasters" that could be avoided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

97%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "preventable" is an adjective used to describe something that can be avoided if proper measures are taken. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media. Its primary function is to highlight the potential for averting negative outcomes. Related terms include "avoidable", "avertable", and "reducible". When writing, remember that "preventable" should only be used as an adjective, not as a verb or noun. Common contexts include discussions of public health, safety, and disaster management.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

avoidable

Emphasizes the possibility of keeping something from happening, focusing on the action of avoiding.

avertable

Highlights the ability to turn away or ward off an event, often suggesting a potential danger.

stoppable

Directly implies the capacity to bring something to a halt, simple and straightforward.

circumventable

Focuses on finding a way around or avoiding something, often implying cleverness or strategy.

reducible

Indicates that something can be lessened or diminished, often used in the context of risks or problems.

mitigable

Highlights the ability to lessen the severity of something, particularly negative consequences.

controllable

Suggests that something can be managed or regulated to prevent unwanted outcomes.

forestallable

Emphasizes the act of preventing something by taking action in advance.

precludable

Highlights the ability to make something impossible or exclude it from happening.

deflectable

Implies the ability to turn something aside or prevent it from reaching its intended target.

FAQs

How can I use "preventable" in a sentence?

You can use "preventable" to describe something that could have been avoided if certain actions had been taken. For example, "The accident was "avoidable"" or "The disease is preventable through vaccination".

What are some alternatives to the word "preventable"?

Alternatives to "preventable" include "avoidable", "avertable", and "reducible depending on the specific nuance you want to convey".

Is it correct to say "preventable situation"?

Yes, "preventable situation" is a correct and common usage. It means a situation that could have been avoided or stopped from happening.

What's the difference between "preventable" and "preventive"?

"Preventable" describes something that can be prevented, while "preventive" describes actions taken to prevent something. For example, "The illness was "preventable"", and "Preventive measures were taken to avoid the illness".