to avoid becoming

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to avoid becoming" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used as part of an infinitive verb phrase and conveys the action of avoiding something in order to prevent oneself from becoming a certain way or facing a negative consequence. Example: "I decided to start exercising and eating healthy to avoid becoming overweight." Another example: "She always wears sunscreen to avoid becoming sunburnt during the summer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

I studied to avoid becoming a farmer.

The New York Times

Federer will try to avoid becoming discouraged.

The New York Times - Sports

Anything to avoid becoming one of them.

The Guardian - Opinion

Try to avoid becoming their uninvited marriage counselor.

The New York Times

Who are you supposed to be, or to avoid becoming?

The New York Times

Suppose, for example, one wants to avoid becoming noticeably heavier.

The New Yorker

"I will use any means possible to avoid becoming like my father," Norton said.

The New Yorker

Normally, small reptiles tend to reduce activity during such an environmental onslaught to avoid becoming dehydrated.

The New York Times

Both need to do more to avoid becoming ancient monuments themselves.

The Economist

His aspiration at this point is to avoid becoming dirt poor — and he means that literally.

The New York Times

They have little alternative, if they wish to avoid becoming a collection of commodity businesses.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to avoid becoming", ensure that the subsequent verb or adjective clearly defines the undesirable state or condition you are trying to prevent. For example, "Study diligently to avoid becoming a failure" is more effective than "Study to avoid becoming".

Common error

Avoid using reflexive pronouns after "becoming" when they are not necessary. For example, instead of saying "He exercised to avoid becoming himself overweight", say "He exercised to avoid becoming overweight".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to avoid becoming" functions as an infinitive of purpose. It introduces a clause that explains the reason for taking a particular action, indicating the intention to prevent a specific outcome. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating its use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Wiki

18%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to avoid becoming" is a versatile and grammatically sound construction used to express the intention of preventing a particular outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is commonly used in written English across diverse contexts, including news, media, and scientific writing. To ensure clarity, always define the undesirable state or condition you're trying to prevent. While generally neutral, its formality can be adjusted based on context. Steer clear of redundant reflexive pronouns, and remember that alternatives like "in order not to become" or "so as not to become" offer subtle variations in emphasis. By following these guidelines, you can effectively use "to avoid becoming" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in order to not become

Emphasizes the purpose of avoiding a specific state or condition.

so as not to become

A more formal way of expressing the intention to prevent something.

to prevent from becoming

Focuses on the act of preventing a transformation or change.

to keep from becoming

Highlights the effort to maintain a current state and avoid a new one.

with the aim of not becoming

Specifies the goal of preventing a certain condition.

for fear of becoming

Expresses avoidance due to apprehension about a potential outcome.

lest one become

A more archaic and formal way of saying "in order that one does not become".

to steer clear of becoming

Focuses on actively avoiding a path or situation that leads to a certain outcome.

to evade becoming

Emphasizes the act of escaping or dodging a specific state.

to circumvent becoming

Highlights the use of clever strategies to avoid a particular outcome.

FAQs

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

Use "to avoid becoming" followed by a noun, adjective, or past participle to express the intention to prevent a certain state or condition. For example, "She saved money "to avoid becoming poor"".

What are some alternatives to "to avoid becoming"?

You can use alternatives like "in order not to become", "so as not to become", or "to prevent from becoming" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "to avoid to become"?

No, "to avoid to become" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "to avoid becoming", where "becoming" functions as a gerund (a verb acting as a noun).

What's the difference between "to avoid becoming" and "to avoid being"?

"To avoid becoming" suggests preventing a transformation or change into a different state, while "to avoid being" implies preventing an existing state or condition. For example, "to avoid becoming angry" versus "to avoid being punished".