seek to prevent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seek to prevent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing efforts or intentions to stop something from happening or to avoid a negative outcome. Example: "The organization aims to seek to prevent any further environmental damage through its conservation initiatives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

And why might some organisations seek to prevent it?

The Guardian

states, would seek to prevent crises before they start.

The New York Times

In other words, to seek to prevent your data becoming freely available is plain unscientific.

The Guardian

"Programs that seek to prevent violence through fear and tough treatment do not work".

The New York Times

Studies of body armour seek to prevent projectile penetration and minimize injury.

Encyclopedia Britannica

No minister can seek to prevent all cuts, but they can be engaged and active.

The Guardian - Books

Companies like Time Warner Cable routinely get their way when they seek to prevent local officials from encouraging competition.

The Guardian - Opinion

The liberal democracy we enjoy is to them merely an ominous harbinger of what they seek to prevent at home.

The New York Times

They also make the work of parents and community leaders who seek to prevent violent extremism much harder".

The Guardian - Opinion

Not only does it seek to prevent the communication of "protected information", but to make a record of it.

The Guardian - Opinion

He called the verdict "a victory for those of us who seek to prevent family violence and abuse".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "seek to prevent", ensure the sentence clearly states what action is being taken to stop something and what the desired outcome is. For instance, "The new regulations seek to prevent pollution by limiting industrial emissions."

Common error

Avoid overusing "seek to prevent" in formal writing; consider more concise synonyms like "avert", "deter", or "forestall" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seek to prevent" functions as an infinitive phrase expressing purpose or intention. It typically connects a subject with an action aimed at averting or stopping something undesirable, as affirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

27%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "seek to prevent" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to express the intention of stopping something from happening. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. Predominantly found in "News & Media" and "Science" contexts, it carries a neutral to formal tone. While effective, varying the phrasing with synonyms like "attempt to avert" or "aim to forestall" can enhance writing. Remember to clearly state the action and desired outcome when using the phrase and be mindful of overuse in overly formal contexts. The phrase serves to articulate objectives related to risk management, safety, or problem-solving, emphasizing proactive measures to avert undesirable results.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attempt to avert

Emphasizes the effort made to avoid a negative outcome.

try to preclude

Focuses on making something impossible to occur.

aim to forestall

Highlights acting in advance to impede something.

endeavor to deter

Stresses discouraging something through preventative measures.

strive to hinder

Focuses on impeding the progress or occurrence of something.

work to mitigate

Implies reducing the severity or impact of something negative.

take steps to avoid

Highlights the actions taken to stay away from something.

make an effort to stop

Focuses on the exertion of energy to bring something to a halt.

move to counteract

Emphasizes taking action to neutralize something harmful.

act to preempt

Highlights the act of preventing an event by taking action beforehand.

FAQs

How can I use "seek to prevent" in a sentence?

Use "seek to prevent" to describe actions aimed at stopping something undesirable. For example, "Scientists seek to prevent the spread of the disease" or "The new policies seek to prevent fraud".

What are some alternatives to "seek to prevent"?

You can use alternatives like "attempt to avert", "try to preclude", or "aim to forestall" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "seek to prevent" or "try to prevent"?

"Seek to prevent" often carries a slightly more formal tone compared to "try to prevent". The best choice depends on the context; "seek to prevent" might be preferable in formal reports or academic writing, while "try to prevent" is suitable for general use.

What's the difference between "seek to prevent" and "strive to prevent"?

"Seek to prevent" implies an attempt or effort to stop something, while "strive to prevent" suggests a more determined or persistent effort. "Strive" indicates a greater level of commitment and effort.