so as to avoid unnecessary

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "so as to avoid unnecessary" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when explaining the purpose of an action, particularly to indicate that the action is taken to prevent something that is not needed or excessive. Example: "We implemented new procedures so as to avoid unnecessary delays in the project timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

U.S. embassies, according to the leaked cables, were told to keep the contingency plan secret so as to avoid "unnecessary NATO-Russia tensions".

The New York Times

"It involves using gears correctly, greater anticipation so as to avoid unnecessary accelerating and decelerating; driving well, as opposed to like a teenager, racing up to the lights then braking hard".

The Guardian

The station icons on the map are of the same design as actual station icons in most subway systems in Japan (technically, Osaka uses solid rectangular icons, but since their official subway maps use a different circular style, we've gone with the majority and standardized all of the stations to the same thing, so as to avoid unnecessary confusion).

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"I call on the rebel forces to open a humanitarian corridor for the Ukrainian troops who are surrounded, so as to avoid unnecessary casualties and to give them the opportunity to withdraw from the zone of operations," Putin said in a statement.

The Guardian

However, as they relied solely on the FAST scan finding, we should also consider the clinical condition of the patient when applying the scoring system so as to avoid unnecessary invasive procedures like laparotomy.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

The low prevalence of EOC requires a highly specific marker to reduce the risk of false positives in healthy women so as to avoid unnecessary distress, diagnostic follow-up and surgery.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

It helps to exercise before you go to sleep as to avoid unnecessary twitching during the paralysis phase.

WikiHow

Make sure all dishes are fully prepared before beginning the Seder, so to avoid unnecessary interruptions.

WikiHow

The ratio should be as low as possible to avoid unnecessary DG disconnection.

Protection and Control of Modern Power Systems

This process should disturb the network as little as possible to avoid unnecessary connectivity issues.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

The light pulses were given to each set in a different room, so as to avoid the unnecessary exposure of any other experimental boxes to the light.

BMC Physiology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "so as to avoid unnecessary", ensure that the action being avoided is genuinely unnecessary in the context. Overuse can weaken the sentence if the avoidance is obvious.

Common error

Avoid using "so as to avoid unnecessary" when a simpler phrasing like "to avoid" suffices. Overcomplicating the sentence can make your writing sound less clear and more verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "so as to avoid unnecessary" functions as a purpose clause, indicating the intention behind an action. It explains why something is being done, specifically to prevent something unwanted or needless. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "so as to avoid unnecessary" is a grammatically sound phrase used to introduce the purpose of an action, specifically to prevent something needless or excessive. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While versatile, it leans towards a formal register, often appearing in scientific, news, and business contexts. When writing, it's crucial to ensure the intended avoidance is genuinely unnecessary and to avoid redundancy by using simpler alternatives when appropriate. Common alternatives include "in order to prevent unnecessary" and "to prevent unnecessary". The phrase adds clarity by directly stating the intent behind an action, contributing to more precise and purposeful writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in order to prevent unnecessary

Replaces "so as to" with "in order to", maintaining the purpose of prevention.

to prevent unnecessary

A more concise version, omitting "so as to" for brevity.

for the purpose of avoiding unnecessary

More explicitly states the purpose of avoiding.

with the aim of preventing unnecessary

Emphasizes the intention behind the action.

in an effort to avoid unnecessary

Highlights the attempt or endeavor to avoid something.

to avert unnecessary

Uses "avert" for a stronger sense of prevention.

to preclude unnecessary

Replaces "avoid" with "preclude", suggesting a proactive prevention.

with a view to avoiding unnecessary

Formal phrasing emphasizing the intention or foresight.

to forestall unnecessary

Uses "forestall" to suggest acting in advance to prevent something.

lest there be unnecessary

Uses a more literary or cautionary tone.

FAQs

How can I use "so as to avoid unnecessary" in a sentence?

Use "so as to avoid unnecessary" to explain the reason or purpose behind an action, specifically to prevent something that is not needed or is excessive. For example, "We streamlined the process "so as to avoid unnecessary" delays".

What are some alternatives to "so as to avoid unnecessary"?

You can use alternatives like "in order to prevent unnecessary", "to prevent unnecessary", or "with the aim of preventing unnecessary" depending on the level of formality and emphasis you want to convey.

Is "so as to avoid unnecessary" too formal for everyday conversation?

"So as to avoid unnecessary" is relatively formal and more suitable for written communication or formal speeches. In casual conversation, simpler alternatives like "to avoid" are often preferred.

What is the difference between "so as to avoid unnecessary" and "in order to avoid unnecessary"?

The difference is subtle; both phrases convey the same meaning. "In order to avoid unnecessary" might be perceived as slightly more common, while ""so as to avoid unnecessary"" can add a touch of formality.