to avoid any doubt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to avoid any doubt" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to clarify a statement or to ensure that there is no misunderstanding regarding a particular point. Example: "To avoid any doubt, the deadline for submissions is Friday at 5 PM."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

This particular reimbursement was to avoid "any doubt".

The Guardian

"Whilst my understanding is that this travel was conducted within the rules, to avoid any doubt I will reimburse the costs".

The Guardian

In view of the high debt levels, budget consolidation is of tantamount importance, also to avoid any doubt about sustainability of its public debt".

The Guardian

"What the PM said should be enough for any ordinary person but to avoid any doubt or speculation let me be clear.

The Guardian

But it is played in a world that in its tribalism and mutual incomprehension can look rather ugly.PS at 1500 on ThursdayJust to avoid any doubt, this is not a blog posting wondering if there is an urgent need for FIFA to clean up its act.

The Economist

Andrew Lansley, 12 February 2012, Letter to clinical commissioning groups "... to avoid any doubt, it is not the government's intention that under (clause 75) that regulations would impose compulsory competitive tendering requirements on commissioners, or for Monitor to have powers to impose such requirements".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

FINA decided to award the gold medals to the United States to avoid any reasonable doubt regarding the result.The United States relay team's finish of 7 minutes 56.53 seconds at the world swimming championships set an American record.

The New York Times - Sports

To avoid any further doubt, Mary Ann in Autumn advertises clearly on the cover that it is "A Tales of the City novel", the author having conceded that "whatever I have to offer comes through these characters and I see no reason to abandon them".

The Guardian - Books

Only Britain faces that possibility, he added, to avoid any possible doubts.Such reveries ignore the fact that the EU is, first and foremost, an economic project.

The Economist

Mr. Talabani's statement on Sunday called for a recount to "avoid any confusion or doubt" about the results.

The New York Times

To avoid any semblance of doubt about just how opposed to Blairite thinking he was, he dismissed James Purnell's efforts to map out new centre-ground thinking as evidence of a "mid-life crisis".

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to avoid any doubt" when you want to explicitly state that you are clarifying something to prevent potential misunderstandings. It's particularly useful in formal writing and legal contexts where precision is crucial.

Common error

While effective, "to avoid any doubt" can become repetitive if used excessively. Vary your language by using synonyms like "to clarify", "to ensure clarity", or "for the avoidance of doubt" where appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to avoid any doubt" serves as a discourse marker, specifically a clarifier. As supported by Ludwig's analysis, it prefaces explanations intended to preempt misunderstandings.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

31%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to avoid any doubt" is a commonly used phrase that functions as a clarifier, ensuring precision and preventing misunderstandings across various contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently employed in news, scientific, and business writing. While versatile, it's advisable to vary your language to prevent redundancy, considering synonyms like "to clarify" or "for the avoidance of doubt". Remember, the goal is always to ensure your message is crystal clear.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for the avoidance of doubt

A more formal and concise version of the original phrase, commonly used in legal or official documents.

to ensure complete clarity

Focuses on the goal of achieving perfect understanding, eliminating any potential for doubt.

to preclude any uncertainty

Replaces "doubt" with "uncertainty" and uses "preclude" instead of "avoid", suggesting a stronger action to prevent uncertainty.

to remove all ambiguity

Focuses on eliminating ambiguity, a type of doubt or lack of clarity.

to clarify any confusion

Emphasizes the act of making something clear to prevent misunderstanding.

to dispel any reservations

Targets the removal of hesitations or mental doubts about something.

to confirm without question

Highlights the act of establishing something as true beyond any dispute.

to set the record straight

Implies correcting previous inaccuracies or misunderstandings to ensure clarity.

to guarantee certainty

Stresses the assurance of something being definite and free from doubt.

to establish with assurance

Suggests firmly setting something in place, eliminating any cause for doubt or concern.

FAQs

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

You can use "to avoid any doubt" to introduce a clarification or specification. For example, "To avoid any doubt, the contract applies to all subsidiaries of the company".

What can I say instead of "to avoid any doubt"?

You can use alternatives like "for the avoidance of doubt", "to clarify", or "to ensure clarity" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "to avoid any doubt" and "for the avoidance of doubt"?

While both phrases have similar meanings, "to avoid any doubt" is generally used within a sentence to introduce a clarification, while "for the avoidance of doubt" is often used as a standalone phrase, particularly in legal or formal contexts.

When is it appropriate to use "to avoid any doubt" in writing?

It is appropriate to use "to avoid any doubt" when you want to ensure that there is no potential for misinterpretation or confusion, especially in situations where precision is important.