to avert

USAGE SUMMARY

"to avert" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to prevent or avoid something undesirable from happening. You can use it in various contexts, such as: 1. The government implemented strict measures to avert a potential economic crisis. 2. The doctor prescribed medication to avert the patient's allergic reaction. 3. The quick response of the firefighters helped to avert a major disaster. 4. She tried to avert her eyes from the gruesome scene. 5. The global community needs to work together to avert the threat of climate change. 6. The company took immediate action to avert the impending bankruptcy. 7. He made a last-minute decision to avert the collision between the two cars. 8. We need to take proactive steps to avert another pandemic in the future. 9. The team's strong defense helped to avert a loss in the final minutes of the game. 10. The company's CEO is determined to avert any potential risks to their reputation.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Negotiations to avert a takeover are ongoing.

The New York Times

Urgent action was needed to avert crisis.

The New York Times

You almost want to avert your eyes.

The New York Times

That's how to avert disasters.

The New York Times

"To avert that, I twisted his arm".

The New York Times - Sports

Some tried to avert the calamity here.

The New York Times

To avert exhaustion, I might quibble.

The New York Times - Books

The deal to avert the fiscal cliff.

The New Yorker

She had to avert her eyes.

The New York Times

Are you doing all you can to avert heart disease?

The Economist

Has she got what it takes to avert global disaster?

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to avert" when you want to emphasize the action taken to specifically prevent something undesirable from happening. It's stronger than simply "to avoid".

Common error

Don't use "to avert" for minor inconveniences; reserve it for significant dangers or negative outcomes. Using it too casually dilutes its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to avert" functions as an infinitive of purpose, indicating the goal or intention behind an action. It's frequently used to describe efforts aimed at preventing undesirable outcomes, as demonstrated by Ludwig's numerous examples of its use in contexts ranging from averting crises to averting one's gaze.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to avert" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed infinitive of purpose, signaling an intention to prevent something undesirable. According to Ludwig, its primary function is descriptive and persuasive, often found in news and media, leaning towards formal registers. While synonyms like "to prevent" or "to avoid" exist, "to avert" carries a stronger connotation of deflecting imminent danger. It's crucial to reserve its use for significant situations, thereby maintaining its impact. The wealth of examples from authoritative sources confirms its widespread and appropriate use in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to prevent

Focuses on stopping something from occurring, often implying a proactive approach.

to avoid

Emphasizes staying away from something, often implying a less direct or forceful action.

to preclude

Highlights making something impossible, suggesting a definitive barrier.

to forestall

Implies acting in advance to prevent something, emphasizing anticipation.

to obviate

Focuses on removing the need for something, suggesting a clever solution.

to ward off

Emphasizes deflecting or repelling something, often used for dangers or attacks.

to stave off

Highlights delaying or postponing something negative, suggesting a temporary fix.

to turn aside

Focuses on redirecting or diverting something, implying a change in course.

to head off

Emphasizes intercepting something to prevent it from reaching a certain point.

to mitigate

Focuses on lessening the severity of something, rather than preventing it entirely.

FAQs

How can I use "to avert" in a sentence?

The phrase "to avert" is used to indicate the act of preventing something negative from happening. For example, "Negotiations were held "to avert" a strike" or "Steps were taken "to avert" an economic crisis."

What are some alternatives to "to avert"?

Alternatives to "to avert" include "to prevent", "to avoid", "to forestall", or "to preclude". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "to avert" or "to prevent" a disaster?

While both "to avert" and "to prevent" can be used to describe stopping a disaster, "to avert" often implies a sense of narrowly escaping or deflecting something imminent. "To prevent" is a more general term for stopping something from happening.

What's the difference between "to avert" and "to avoid"?

"To avoid" generally means to keep away from something, while "to avert" suggests a more active effort to ward off or prevent something negative. You might "to avoid" a traffic jam by taking a different route, but you'd try "to avert" a global catastrophe through specific interventions.