steer clear of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "steer clear of" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase typically means to avoid something, either literally or figuratively. For example, you could say "My parents always told me to steer clear of anything illegal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Buyers steer clear of them".

The New York Times

Any you steer clear of?

The New York Times - Books

But steer clear of motion-pictures stars.

The New Yorker

"We try to steer clear of that".

The New Yorker

Are there any you steer clear of?

The New York Times - Books

"I steer clear of that," Halladay said.

The New York Times - Sports

I don't steer clear of genres.

The New York Times - Books

Mr. Rodríguez didn't steer clear of politics.

The New York Times - Arts

"That's why we steer clear of messaging.

The New York Times

Anything you'd steer clear of?

Forbes

Just steer clear of Legends of Zork.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "steer clear of" to strongly advise avoiding something potentially harmful or problematic. It's more emphatic than simply saying "avoid".

Common error

Avoid using "steer clear of" for minor inconveniences. This phrase is best reserved for situations where genuine risk or significant negative consequences are involved.

Linguistic Context

The idiomatic phrase "steer clear of" functions as a directive, advising someone to avoid something. As Ludwig AI notes, this phrase suggests more than mere avoidance; it implies a need to actively keep away from something potentially dangerous or negative.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Reference

3%

Science

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "steer clear of" is a widely used and grammatically sound idiom that advises avoidance of potentially harmful situations. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for general use and appears frequently in news, media, and wiki sources. When writing, reserve this phrase for instances where a strong warning or caution is warranted, and avoid overuse in trivial contexts. Consider alternatives like "avoid" or "keep away from" for less emphatic situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

give a wide berth

Idiomatic expression indicating avoiding something carefully, both literally and figuratively.

stay away from

Emphasizes maintaining distance from something or someone.

avoid

A general term for keeping away from something; less emphatic than "steer clear of".

keep away from

Similar to avoid, but can imply a protective or cautious stance.

keep one's distance from

Highlights the act of maintaining a physical or emotional separation.

avoid like the plague

Emphasizes strong aversion and the desire to prevent contact at all costs.

evade

Suggests skillfully escaping something, often with a sense of urgency.

bypass

Means to go around or avoid a specific obstacle or issue.

shun

Implies deliberately avoiding someone or something, often due to disapproval.

eschew

A more formal term for deliberately avoiding something, often for ethical reasons.

FAQs

How can I use "steer clear of" in a sentence?

You can use "steer clear of" to advise someone to avoid a potentially dangerous or problematic situation. For example, "You should "steer clear of" that neighborhood at night" or "Steer clear of processed foods if you want to be healthy".

What is a less emphatic alternative to "steer clear of"?

If you want a less strong way to suggest avoidance, you could use terms like "avoid", "keep away from", or "stay away from".

When is it appropriate to use "steer clear of" instead of "avoid"?

Use "steer clear of" when emphasizing the potential for harm or negative consequences. "Avoid" is a more general term, while ""steer clear of"" implies a more significant threat. For example, instead of saying "Avoid sugary drinks", you could say "Steer clear of sugary drinks to prevent health problems".

Is "steering clear of" grammatically different from "steer clear of"?

"Steering clear of" is the present participle form, used in continuous tenses (e.g., "I am steering clear of that topic"). "Steer clear of" is the base form, often used in commands or general statements (e.g., "Steer clear of trouble").