steer clear of mistakes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "steer clear of mistakes" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when advising someone to avoid making errors or to be cautious in their actions to prevent mistakes. Example: "To ensure a successful project, it's important to steer clear of mistakes that could derail our progress."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

By simply being aware of what not to do, you can steer clear of these mistakes.

Huffington Post

Learn from mistakes, do not repeat them and steer clear of people with bad intent but don't live in the past, rehashing what was.

WikiHow

There's still over six months left of the Premier League, and while Leicester realistically only need another four wins from their 25 remaining matches to steer clear of relegation, looking at the top four would be a mistake.

Independent

Buyers steer clear of them".

The New York Times

Any you steer clear of?

The New York Times - Books

Are there 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

"I steer clear of that," Halladay said.

The New York Times - Sports

I don't steer clear of genres.

The New York Times - Books

Just steer clear of Miguel Cabrera.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "steer clear of mistakes" when advising someone to proactively avoid errors, especially in situations where careful navigation is needed.

Common error

While useful, "steer clear of mistakes" can become repetitive. Vary your language with synonyms like "avoid errors" or "prevent mistakes" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "steer clear of mistakes" functions as an advisory expression. It is used to recommend avoiding errors, typically in situations requiring careful planning or execution. Ludwig AI identifies it as a correct and usable phrase for offering guidance.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

17%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "steer clear of mistakes" is a grammatically correct and usable expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, that advises the avoidance of errors. While not exceptionally common, it finds usage across various contexts, particularly in news and media. For stylistic variation, consider alternatives such as "avoid errors" or "prevent mistakes". It’s best used when you want to emphasize careful navigation and proactive error prevention. Though versatile, mindful usage prevents repetition. Remember, while the phrase is correct, overuse can diminish its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stay clear of errors

Similar to the original phrase but uses "stay" instead of "steer".

avoid errors

Focuses directly on the act of avoiding errors, simpler and more direct.

evade mistakes

Implies skillful maneuvering to miss mistakes.

dodge errors

Suggests quick action to avoid errors, like physically dodging something.

circumvent errors

Implies finding a way around errors, often through clever or strategic means.

sidestep mistakes

Suggests moving to the side to avoid mistakes, less confrontational.

prevent errors

Focuses on stopping errors before they happen, emphasizing proactive measures.

avert mistakes

Emphasizes the successful prevention of something bad from happening.

keep away from errors

A more literal way of expressing distance from errors.

eschew mistakes

A more formal and less common way to say avoid mistakes.

FAQs

How to use "steer clear of mistakes" in a sentence?

You can use "steer clear of mistakes" to advise someone to avoid making errors, such as "To ensure a successful project, it's important to "steer clear of mistakes" that could derail our progress."

What can I say instead of "steer clear of mistakes"?

You can use alternatives like "avoid errors", "prevent mistakes", or "evade mistakes" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "steer clear of mistakes" or "avoid mistakes"?

"Steer clear of mistakes" implies a more proactive and careful approach to preventing errors, while "avoid mistakes" is a more general recommendation.

Which is correct, "steer clear of mistakes" or "steer clear from mistakes"?

"Steer clear of mistakes" is the correct and commonly used form. The preposition "of" is required; "from" is incorrect in this context.