preventive

USAGE SUMMARY

"preventive" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to refer to something used to prevent a potential problem from happening. For example, "The company is taking preventive measures to ensure that their IT system is secure."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Dr Etienne Krug, the WHO's director for injury prevention has said that there are simple preventive actions that can easily prevent such permanent damage – without stopping you enjoying yourself.

The Guardian

The action plan cites climate change as "a key element of preventive diplomacy," aimed at preventing future violent conflicts through cooperation and dialogue.

The Guardian

Related: Social care and austerity: the impact so far, and what the future holds Kath Wallace, divisional manager for commissioning for adult services and health, Liverpool city council: "The most immediate impact that we have noticed is the reduction in preventive or non-statutory services.

The Guardian

The government will also claw back payments to the states for hospitals and cut funds previously earmarked for preventive health.

The Guardian

Patients on the register will be guaranteed regular check-ups and the best preventive medicine.

The Guardian

President Barack Obama's health care law requires most insurance plans to cover preventive care at no additional charge to patients.

The Guardian

Other services covered without copays or cost-sharing include: Preventive screening, genetic counseling and BRCA genetic testing for women at increased risk for having a potentially harmful mutation in genes that suppress cancerous tumors.

The Guardian

This has resulted in the withdrawal of some key preventive services, such as good neighbour schemes and community activities.

The Guardian

"We need preventive measures, rather than a Disaster Management Cell, when we know [flooding] is an extreme event we're prone to," says Rishi Aggarwal, an environmental activist involved in urban planning and mangrove conservation.

The Guardian

Spa resorts such as Mavida Balance Hotel & Spa (mavida.at) in Zell am See, and Life Medicine Resort (lifemedicineresort.com) in Bad Gleichenberg combine the latest preventive and holistic treatments with warm yet contemporary designs that feel anything but clinical.

The Guardian - Travel

The Obama administration on Monday closed a series of insurance loopholes on coverage of preventive care, ordering insurers to cover at least one birth control option under each of 18 methods approved by the FDA – without copays.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "preventive" in medical contexts, consider whether "prophylactic" might be a more precise or commonly used term. This ensures clarity and adherence to industry-specific language conventions.

Common error

While both "preventive" and "preventative" can be used as adjectives, "preventive" is the more common and preferred form. Stick to "preventive" to maintain consistency and avoid potential ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The word "preventive" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate something that serves to prevent or hinder an action or condition. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's generally accepted for use in written English. Examples include "preventive measures" and "preventive care".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "preventive" is a grammatically correct and commonly used adjective indicating measures taken to avert potential issues, with Ludwig AI confirming its acceptability in standard written English. Predominantly found in News & Media, Formal & Business and Science contexts, it signals proactive risk mitigation. While "preventative" exists as an alternative, sticking to "preventive" ensures clarity and consistency. Key related phrases include "prophylactic", "precautionary", and "protective". Remember, as our writing guidance suggests, prioritize precision and context when choosing between synonyms to enhance your writing's effectiveness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prophylactic

Similar in meaning, often used in medical contexts to denote preventative treatments or measures.

precautionary

Emphasizes caution and foresight in avoiding risks or dangers.

protective

Highlights the act of shielding or defending against harm.

deterrent

Focuses on discouraging or hindering undesirable actions through fear or doubt.

forestalling

Implies acting in advance to impede or obstruct something.

inhibitory

Relates to restricting or suppressing a process or action.

mitigating

Focuses on lessening the severity or impact of a potential negative outcome.

safeguarding

Stresses the importance of security and protection.

averting

Emphasizes the successful deflection or avoidance of an undesirable event.

counteractive

Refers to actions taken to neutralize or oppose a harmful effect.

FAQs

How is "preventive" used in a sentence?

The adjective "preventive" describes something that helps stop something from happening. For example: "The doctor recommended "preventive measures" to avoid future illness".

What's a synonym for "preventive"?

A close synonym is "prophylactic", particularly in medical contexts. Other alternatives include "precautionary" and "protective", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct: "preventive" or "preventative"?

Both "preventive" and "preventative" are considered correct, but "preventive" is more commonly used. "Preventative" is often seen as a hypercorrection. Using "preventive" is generally recommended for clarity and consistency.

In what contexts is "preventive" most often used?

As Ludwig shows, "preventive" frequently appears in the contexts of healthcare, security, and diplomacy. For instance, "preventive care", "preventive measures" and "preventive diplomacy" are common collocations.