prevents

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prevents" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing actions or measures that stop something from happening. Example: "The new policy prevents unauthorized access to sensitive information."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Understanding exactly how the combination of low blood glucose and high ketones prevents seizures has become the subject of intense research.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The three options, Obama said, were to bomb the nuclear facilities and launch a third war in the Middle East, maintain the status quo and hope for the best, or seek "a robust and verifiable deal like this one that peacefully prevents Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon".

The Guardian

Toni Kroos plays the ball towards the corner, where Mandi prevents Schurrle from getting to the ball.

The Guardian - Sport

Corruption and political upheaval heavily impacts education, making it responsible for numerous social and economic issues, which, in turn, prevents Honduras from climbing the statistical ladder.

The Guardian

And now the Electronic Frontier Foundation, which has fought for digital civil liberties since 1990, has launched a campaign to eradicate digital rights management (DRM) called Apollo 1201, referring to the section of the US Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) that prevents users tampering with the digital locks on the things they own, such as books, music and movies.

The Guardian - Books

Poor stock management can lead to a lack of trust: Poor stock management not only prevents the ill from receiving treatment, but it can undermine the relationship between health workers and the community.

The Guardian

The Greens say this deal prevents any legal recourse against previous Labor decisions, as well as approvals to be considered by Hunt, such as the Abbot Point decision.

The Guardian

Whilst the mounting skepticism surrounding corruption prevents large amounts of financial aid from getting through, concerns are also growing that larger NGOs are flitting away money on unnecessary luxuries such as SUVs and plush hotels.

The Guardian

Exonerating the IRA of corporate responsibility, though, does de-escalate the controversy and prevents it from standing in the way of full devolution.

The Guardian

"The vaccine binds to the virus and prevents it from getting inside your cells in the first place," he says.

The Guardian

These performances are splendid, but the principals are exceptional: Thompson finds vulnerability beneath Travers's spikes, and Hanks brings a steely tenor to Disney that prevents him from becoming completely gooey.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "prevents", ensure the subject clearly identifies what is being stopped. For instance, "Regular exercise prevents heart disease" is more effective than "Exercise prevents."

Common error

Avoid overstating the certainty of prevention. While something might reduce the risk, it doesn't always guarantee complete prevention. Use qualifiers like "helps prevent" or "reduces the likelihood of" where appropriate.

Linguistic Context

Prevents functions as a verb, specifically the third-person singular present tense of "prevent". It indicates the action of stopping something from happening. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in describing measures or actions that stop undesirable outcomes. Ludwig AI indicates that its use is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

12%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "prevents" is a grammatically sound verb form widely used to describe actions that stop something from happening. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is correct and common across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. When writing, ensure the subject of "prevents" clearly identifies what is being stopped and avoid overstating the certainty of prevention. Alternatives like "thwarts", "averts", and "precludes" can add nuance depending on the specific context. By understanding these nuances, you can use "prevents" effectively and accurately in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

precludes

Formally excludes the possibility of something happening.

thwarts

Focuses on actively hindering or defeating something, suggesting a more forceful intervention.

forestalls

Acts in advance to prevent something, often with a sense of anticipation.

averts

Emphasizes the act of turning away or avoiding a negative outcome, often implying danger.

wards off

Deflects or repels something undesirable, like an illness or attack.

blocks

Implies a direct obstruction or barrier that stops something from passing or happening.

intercepts

Stops something in its course, often referring to physical objects or communications.

obstructs

Similar to blocks but can also refer to hindering progress or visibility.

hinders

Suggests slowing down or making something more difficult, rather than completely stopping it.

impedes

Similar to hinders, often used in more formal or technical contexts.

FAQs

How to use "prevents" in a sentence?

The verb "prevents" is used to describe an action or measure that stops something from happening. For example, "This new law "prevents pollution"".

What can I say instead of "prevents"?

You can use alternatives like "blocks", "averts", or "precludes" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "prevents" or "prevent"?

"Prevents" is the third-person singular present tense form of the verb "prevent". Use "prevents" when the subject is singular (e.g., "He prevents") and "prevent" when the subject is plural (e.g., "They prevent").

What's the difference between "prevents" and "protects"?

"Prevents" implies stopping something from happening altogether, while "protects" implies shielding something from harm or damage that might still occur to some degree. For example, sunscreen protects your skin, but wearing a helmet prevents head injuries.