sharp to avoid

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sharp to avoid" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It seems to be an incomplete expression and lacks context for proper usage. Example: "He was sharp to avoid any misunderstandings during the meeting."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

In some cases, the pole was rounded, not sharp, to avoid damaging internal organs and thereby prolong the suffering of the victim.

Huffington Post

Carving tools and knives should be kept sharp to avoid forcing them through the wood (and into your hand).

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The Bills (3-6) have lost five of six and need a sharp turnaround to avoid their 13th straight season out of the playoffs.

The New York Times - Sports

You just need to hone your knife skills, which you'll also need for dicing the tomatoes, plus a very sharp knife to avoid crushing them.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They weren't sharp enough to avoid a hammer blow of a start, as Charlton whizzed into the lead before Brentford could familiarise themselves with their Premiership surroundings.

The Guardian - Sport

I managed to hang on through a number of sharp turns to avoid traffic and stalled cars, and through several skids, and thanked the men profusely for the lift.

The New York Times

Right where the B4312 from Llangain does a sharp left to avoid diving into the Afon Tywi before carrying on north to Johnstown and Carmarthen beyond, lodged in between undulating fields and thick hedgerows, lie these three ancient woodlands, separated by meadows and new plantations.

The Guardian - Travel

If Messina Denaro, the last of Sicily's notorious fugitive bosses, feels comfortable name-checking the 15th-century head of the Spanish Inquisition, it is also a reflection of the cultured side of a criminal who has used his sharp intelligence to avoid a police dragnet for 21 years.

The Guardian

Transit systems must accommodate steep grades and sharp curves to avoid destruction of valuable infrastructure and to minimize land acquisition and expropriation.

Urban Rail Transit

Andrew makes a sharp turn to avoid hitting a buoy, and Margaret falls out of the boat.

Wikipedia

Four gunners were washed overboard at 16:56 as the ship made a sharp turn to avoid dive-bomber attacks; a destroyer was detached to rescue them, but they could not be found.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, replace the phrase "sharp to avoid" with more direct and common expressions like "quick to prevent" or "keen on preventing". This ensures your writing is easily understood.

Common error

Avoid using "sharp to avoid" when you mean to convey a proactive measure to prevent something. The phrase can be misinterpreted as requiring a literal sharp object, rather than strategic foresight.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sharp to avoid" functions as a purpose connector, suggesting an action or characteristic is intended to prevent an undesirable outcome. However, as Ludwig AI points out, it's not a standard expression and lacks clarity for most readers.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Wiki

38%

News & Media

31%

Science

31%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sharp to avoid" is an uncommon purpose connector that suggests employing acuity or a specific tool to prevent a negative outcome. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect and lacking clarity, indicating that while it appears in some contexts (Wiki, News & Media, Science), it is not a standard English expression. For enhanced clarity, consider using alternatives like "quick to prevent" or "keen on preventing". When writing, be mindful of potential misinterpretations and opt for more direct and widely understood language to ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quick to prevent

Emphasizes speed and proactivity in preventing something undesirable.

keen on preventing

Replaces "sharp" with "keen" and restructures the sentence to emphasize prevention.

vigilant in stopping

Focuses on vigilance and actively stopping something from happening.

astute in averting

Uses "astute" instead of "sharp" and "averting" to convey avoiding a negative consequence.

intelligent to evade

Uses "intelligent" to replace "sharp" suggesting using smarts to evade something.

adept at dodging

Highlights skill in dodging or avoiding something quickly and effectively.

alert to preclude

Highlights alertness and the act of precluding or preventing something.

wise to circumvent

Replaces the words with "wise" and "circumvent" suggesting carefully avoiding a problem.

discerning enough to sidestep

Emphasizes the ability to discern and sidestep or avoid a problem.

prudent in steering clear of

Focuses on prudence and consciously steering clear of something.

FAQs

What does "sharp to avoid" mean?

The phrase "sharp to avoid" is uncommon and its meaning can be unclear. It generally suggests being astute or quick in order to prevent something negative from happening.

How can I rephrase "sharp to avoid" for better clarity?

Consider using alternatives such as "quick to prevent", "keen on preventing", or "astute in averting" depending on the specific context.

Is "sharp to avoid" grammatically correct?

While not strictly ungrammatical, "sharp to avoid" is not a standard or widely recognized phrase in English. It's better to use more conventional expressions for clarity.

Are there situations where "sharp to avoid" might be appropriate?

While rare, "sharp to avoid" could be used in creative writing or specific technical contexts where sharpness literally aids in prevention. However, ensure the meaning is clear to your audience.