that was avoidable

USAGE SUMMARY

"that was avoidable" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to indicate that a situation or outcome could have been prevented. For example, "The accident was unfortunate, but it was clear that it was avoidable." Alternative expressions include "that could have been prevented" and "that was unnecessary."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

That was avoidable.

TechCrunch

The way our allies and the Arabs came together and produced their own military personnel and actions was essential to the result that we got and the way that we did it.LEXINGTON: One subject that is treated in this town as failure that was avoidable was the Middle East peace process.

The Economist

One startup I have known has ended up with a patchwork quilt of employment contracts in its team - an outcome of enterprising solutioning in early days but also a problem that was avoidable by using a lawyer once.

Forbes

"Rolling Stone's investigation: 'A failure that was avoidable'" by Sheila Coronel, Steve Coll and Derek Kravitz (CJR).

Huffington Post

But the 9,000 word story was later retracted after a report from Columbia Journalism School found that Jackie's accounts had been fabricated, leading to "a journalistic failure that was avoidable".

Huffington Post

NEW YORK -- Rolling Stone's discredited story of an alleged gang rape at the University of Virginia amounts to a "journalistic failure that was avoidable," Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism concluded in an exhaustive report published Sunday night.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Asked to put himself in the shoes of his successor as speaker, J. Dennis Hastert of Illinois, Mr. Gingrich had this advice: "First, avoid any fights that are avoidable.

The New York Times

Bad shit happens to people, it's unavoidable, but there are tragedies that are avoidable.

The Guardian

Diversification's primary power is that it lets us reduce risks that are avoidable.

The New York Times

Many said it would be more appropriate to look only at those deaths that were avoidable through timely and effective healthcare, such as some cancers and diabetes.

The Guardian

David Peppiatt, international director of the British Red Cross, said: "It is distressing that such huge numbers of people are hungry and can't get enough food to eat for reasons that are avoidable.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that was avoidable" to emphasize that a negative outcome resulted from a failure to act or a missed opportunity, implying responsibility or a need for learning.

Common error

Avoid using "that was avoidable" excessively in situations where the factors contributing to the outcome were genuinely unforeseeable or complex, as it can come across as overly critical or simplistic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that was avoidable" functions as a comment or observation, typically made in hindsight, expressing that a negative outcome could have been prevented. Ludwig provides various examples illustrating this function, indicating situations where different choices or actions could have led to a more favorable result.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

17%

Science

33%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that was avoidable" is a phrase used to indicate that a negative outcome could have been prevented with different actions or decisions. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and applicability across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While the phrase isn't exceedingly common, it serves an important communicative purpose in assigning responsibility, learning from mistakes, and expressing regret. When writing, remember to use it judiciously, avoiding overuse and considering the potential for sounding accusatory. Alternative phrases, such as "that could have been prevented", offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that could have been prevented

Emphasizes the possibility of prevention, focusing on the action that could have changed the outcome.

it could have been averted

Highlights the successful avoidance of a negative event.

it didn't have to happen

Expresses a sense of regret or disbelief that the event occurred.

it was a preventable situation

Focuses on the characteristic of the situation being inherently able to be prevented.

it was an unnecessary outcome

Underlines the lack of justification for the result.

it wasn't inevitable

Indicates that the event was not predetermined and could have been changed.

the outcome was needless

Highlights that the consequence was not required or justified.

it was a correctable issue

Focuses on the ability to fix or remedy the situation, implying it didn't have to lead to a bad result.

the situation was manageable

Emphasizes the capacity to control the circumstances, suggesting a failure in management.

the problem was solvable

Highlights that there was a solution, emphasizing the failure to find or implement it.

FAQs

How can I use "that was avoidable" in a sentence?

You can use "that was avoidable" to point out that a negative result could have been prevented. For example, "The accident was unfortunate, but it's clear "that was avoidable" if safety regulations had been followed."

What are some alternatives to saying "that was avoidable"?

Alternatives include phrases like "that could have been prevented", "it could have been averted", or "it didn't have to happen", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to say "that was avoidable" after a negative event?

While it can be accurate, consider the context carefully. Saying "that was avoidable" might sound accusatory or insensitive if the situation was genuinely complex or if unforeseen circumstances played a significant role. It's best used when there's clear evidence of a missed opportunity or failure to take preventative measures.

What's the difference between "that was avoidable" and "that was inevitable"?

"That was avoidable" suggests the outcome could have been changed, while "that was inevitable" implies the outcome was unavoidable, regardless of actions taken. They represent opposite perspectives on the possibility of influencing events.