this could be avoided

USAGE SUMMARY

"this could be avoided" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that a particular problem or issue could have been prevented. For example, "By being more proactive, this problem could have been avoided."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

People question whether this could be avoided under Labour's proposals.

The Guardian

Some believe this could be avoided by printing money.

The New York Times

This could be avoided by carefully designing the placement of the electrodes.

Journal of Contaminant Hydrology

But Mr. Kessler said this could be avoided by putting the insurance into a trust.

The New York Times

And here's the thing — a lot of this could be avoided".

The New York Times - Sports

This could be avoided by placing the vote in the hands of parliament, she said.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

If the balloon diameter is chosen this way, lacerations of this kind could be avoided.

BMC Gastroenterology

The report by the federal regulator indicates that much of this trouble could be avoided.

The Guardian - Money

This need could be avoided by designing printable fiber reinforcement concrete or concrete with in-process 'printed' reinforcement.

Materials Letters

David Smith, associate professor of economics at Pepperdine Graziadio School of Business and Management, said he thinks a strike this time could be avoided.

The Washington Post

In Section 3 we briefly describe how this restriction could be avoided.

Boundary Value Problems

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using this phrase, follow up with a clear explanation of how the situation could have been avoided. This adds value and provides actionable insights.

Common error

Avoid using "this could be avoided" without clearly defining what "this" refers to. Ambiguity can confuse the reader and weaken the impact of your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this could be avoided" functions as a modal expression, indicating the possibility of preventing a certain outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

46%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "this could be avoided" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that highlights the potential for preventing a negative outcome through proactive measures. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is versatile and applicable across various domains, including news, science, and academia. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by explicitly stating what "this" refers to and explaining how it could have been avoided. Remember that related phrases like "this could have been averted" or "this was preventable" offer alternative ways to express similar ideas, each with subtle nuances in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this could have been averted

Uses 'averted' for a slightly more formal tone, implying the deflection of an impending negative outcome.

it was an avoidable situation

Nominalizes the phrase, focusing on the inherent quality of the situation as one that could be avoided.

this was preventable

Changes the modality from 'could' (potential) to 'was' (past fact), implying the avoidance opportunity has passed.

the crisis was preemptable

Uses a more formal term, 'preemptable', suggesting the crisis could have been stopped before it began.

this was needless

Emphasizes the lack of necessity for the situation, implying avoidance would have been preferable.

this didn't need to happen

More emphatic and direct, expressing regret or frustration that the event occurred.

measures could have been taken

Shifts focus to the actions that could have prevented the situation, rather than the situation itself.

the situation was manageable

Suggests the problem could have been controlled or handled to prevent escalation.

it was within our power to prevent

Highlights agency and responsibility in preventing the outcome.

the problem was resolvable

Indicates the issue had solutions that were not implemented, leading to the negative outcome.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "this could be avoided"?

You can use alternatives like "this could have been averted", "this was preventable", or "this didn't need to happen" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "this could be avoided" or "this could have been avoided"?

Both phrases are correct, but "this could have been avoided" implies that the opportunity to avoid something has already passed, while "this could be avoided" suggests that the opportunity still exists.

What does "this could be avoided" mean?

It means that a particular situation, problem, or outcome is not inevitable and that actions could be taken to prevent it from occurring.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "this could be avoided"?

It's appropriate in various contexts, such as discussing mistakes, failures, or negative outcomes in business, science, news, and everyday conversations, where preventive measures are relevant.