so as to prevent

USAGE SUMMARY

'so as to prevent' is a perfectly acceptable phrase to use in written English.
You can use it when you want to explain why you are doing something in order to stop something else from happening. For example, "I'm paying extra attention to my diet so as to prevent any health issues."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The MIPO technique was developed so as to prevent periosteal devascularizatiuon and major soft tissue dissection.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

So as to prevent pandemonium?

The New Yorker

"We always screen our prints without a mask, so as to prevent such surprises," he said.

The Guardian - Film

Customers will spread orders around so as to prevent the domination of any one company.

The Economist

Publishers are not allowed to nominate their own books, so as to prevent them from giving books willfully odd names.

The New York Times - Books

It seemed logical that our government would want to know what happened so as to prevent another attack.

The New York Times

Meirion Evans, of the Faculty of Public Health, said doctors wanted the switch so as to prevent shortages.

The Guardian

Veata and her parents spoke in Khmer, very softly and quickly, so as to prevent me from understanding.

The New Yorker

These links have obliged them to buy dollars, so as to prevent their own currencies from rising.

The Economist

While one is still alive, France will tax gifts so as to prevent the taxpayer from escaping taxes by dying.

The New York Times

Drainage directly from surface shall be avoided so as to prevent floor heave.

Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "so as to prevent", ensure that the phrase clearly connects the action with its intended preventative outcome. Clarity enhances readability.

Common error

While grammatically correct, overuse of "so as to prevent" can make writing sound stiff. Consider simpler alternatives like "to avoid" in less formal contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "so as to prevent" functions as an adverbial phrase of purpose, indicating the reason or intention behind an action. It connects a specific action with its intended outcome, which is to avert something undesirable. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

58%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "so as to prevent" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that serves to express purpose, specifically to indicate the intention behind an action aimed at averting something undesirable. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability in written English. While it is common across various domains, including science, news, and general writing, it tends to lean toward the more formal side. When writing, ensure clarity by directly connecting the action with its preventative outcome. Be mindful of the tone, as excessive use can make your writing appear stiff. Alternatives such as "to avoid" or "in order to prevent" may be more appropriate depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in order to prevent

More formal alternative, essentially interchangeable but slightly longer.

to avoid

More concise and direct, suitable for less formal contexts.

to preclude

More formal and emphasizes the impossibility of something happening.

for the purpose of prevention

Emphasizes the intention behind the action.

with the aim of preventing

Highlights the goal or objective of preventing something.

with a view to preventing

A more formal and somewhat archaic alternative.

in an effort to prevent

Highlights the active attempt to prevent something.

lest

A concise, literary term indicating prevention of an undesirable outcome.

to forestall

Focuses on acting in advance to prevent something.

so that...would not happen

Restructures the sentence to focus on the negative outcome.

FAQs

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

Use "so as to prevent" to express the purpose of an action, which is to stop something from happening. For example, "I exercise regularly so as to prevent health problems."

What are some alternatives to "so as to prevent"?

Alternatives include "in order to prevent", "to avoid", or "to preclude", depending on the desired level of formality.

Is "so as to prevent" formal or informal?

"So as to prevent" leans towards the formal side but is acceptable in many contexts. However, consider using simpler phrases like "to avoid" in casual writing.

What's the difference between "so as to prevent" and "in order to prevent"?

The difference is minimal; they are largely interchangeable. "So as to prevent" might be perceived as slightly less common than "in order to prevent", but both serve the same purpose.