to avoid

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to avoid" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing actions taken to prevent something undesirable from happening. Example: "She took extra precautions to avoid any potential mistakes in her report."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

To avoid catastrophe".

The New York Times

To avoid embarrassment?

The New Yorker

To avoid Lee Child.

Independent

"To avoid employment.

The New York Times

"To avoid prostitution".

The New Yorker

helped to avoid confusion.

The New York Times

How to avoid this?

University of California, Berkeley

Warning signs to avoid.

Yale University

She played to avoid partying.

The New York Times

So it's difficult to avoid.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And to avoid water fountains.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to avoid" followed by a specific undesirable outcome. This clearly communicates the purpose of the action being taken.

Common error

Avoid using "to avoid" without a clear, specific outcome. For example, instead of saying "Take precautions to avoid issues", specify what issues you're trying to prevent: "Take precautions to avoid data breaches".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to avoid" functions primarily as an infinitive of purpose. It introduces a clause that explains the reason for performing an action, aiming to prevent a specific outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its validity in numerous contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Academia

25%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to avoid" is a versatile and grammatically sound construction used to express the purpose of preventing something undesirable. As evidenced by Ludwig, it appears frequently across diverse contexts, from formal news articles to informal wikis. The examples highlight its function in conveying intention and mitigation. While generally neutral in register, it's essential to use "to avoid" with clear and specific outcomes to ensure effective communication. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread applicability, making it a valuable tool for clear and purposeful writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in order to prevent

More formal alternative, explicitly stating the intention of prevention.

so as to evade

Similar in meaning but emphasizes the act of eluding or escaping something.

for the purpose of averting

Highly formal, often used in legal or official contexts.

with the intention of bypassing

Focuses on circumventing or going around an obstacle or problem.

as a means of circumventing

Highlights the method used to get around something.

for fear of

Emphasizes the apprehension or dread associated with what is being avoided.

with a view to preclude

Formal and suggests proactive prevention.

seeking to dodge

Suggests actively maneuvering to evade something.

aiming to steer clear of

Informal and emphasizes maintaining distance from something.

endeavoring to sidestep

Implies skillful maneuvering to avoid a problem or situation.

FAQs

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

Use "to avoid" to express the purpose of preventing something negative. For example, "She studied diligently "to avoid failing" the exam."

What are some alternatives to using "to avoid"?

You can use alternatives such as "in order to prevent", "so as to not", or "for the purpose of preventing", depending on the desired level of formality.

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "to avoid"?

While less common, starting a sentence with "to avoid" is grammatically correct, especially when setting a condition. For example, "To avoid delays, please submit your application early."

What is the difference between "to avoid" and "to prevent"?

"To avoid" implies steering clear of something that might happen, while "to prevent" suggests taking action to stop something from happening. They are often interchangeable, but "to prevent" can be more proactive.