to avoid being

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to avoid being" is grammatically correct and usable in written English.
It usually follows a verb or noun that indicates a negative or undesired situation. For example, "She worked hard to avoid being unemployed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Others were able to avoid being institutionalized.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Anything to avoid being predictable".

The Guardian - Sport

How to avoid being made a slave.

The Guardian - Opinion

I also wanted to avoid being home.

The New York Times

"I tried to avoid being unkind".

The New York Times - Books

Your obligation is to avoid being deceptive.

The New York Times - Magazine

Men stretch themselves today simply to avoid being sacked".

The New York Times

Now, for the Eagles to avoid being rocked.

The New York Times - Sports

The engineers time their forays to avoid being crushed.

The New York Times

There's no sure-fire way to avoid being bumped.

The New York Times

And I want to avoid being put into that position.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to avoid being", ensure the subsequent verb or adjective clearly defines the undesirable state or action you're trying to circumvent. For instance, "Study diligently to avoid being unprepared for the exam" provides a clear connection.

Common error

Be mindful of awkward phrasing that can arise from overuse of the passive voice. Instead of saying "to avoid being misunderstood by the message", rephrase to "to avoid misunderstanding the message" for improved clarity and conciseness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to avoid being" functions as an infinitive of purpose, indicating the reason or goal behind an action. It's frequently used to express the intention to prevent an undesirable situation or state, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to avoid being" is a versatile and grammatically sound construction used to express the intention to prevent an undesirable outcome. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and common usage across diverse contexts, especially in News & Media. While it maintains a neutral tone suitable for both formal and informal writing, users should be mindful of potential awkwardness arising from overuse of the passive voice. By following best practices and avoiding common errors, you can effectively integrate "to avoid being" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in order to not be

Emphasizes the purpose or intention behind the action taken.

so as not to be

Similar to "in order to not be", highlighting the intended outcome of preventing something.

to prevent from being

Focuses on the act of preventing something from happening or a state from occurring.

to steer clear of being

Suggests actively taking steps to stay away from a particular situation.

for the purpose of not being

Highlights the specific intention of avoiding a certain state or condition.

with the aim of not being

Similar to "for the purpose of not being", emphasizing the goal of avoidance.

to ensure not being

Emphasizes the need to guarantee that something does not happen.

to preclude being

Formally indicates to prevent something from happening or existing.

for fear of being

Highlights the fear or concern that motivates the avoidance.

to keep from being

Focuses on actively maintaining distance from a particular situation.

FAQs

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

Use "to avoid being" followed by a verb in its past participle form or an adjective. For example: "She practices regularly "to avoid being late"", or "They save money "to avoid being poor"".

What are some alternatives to "to avoid being"?

Alternatives include phrases like "in order not to be", "so as not to be", or "to prevent from being", each offering a slightly different nuance in meaning.

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

Yes, "to avoid being" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples from reliable sources.

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

"To avoid" is followed by a noun or gerund (verb ending in -ing), while "to avoid being" is followed by a past participle or adjective. For example, "to avoid mistakes" versus "to avoid being mistaken".