to avoid damage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to avoid damage" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing precautions or actions taken to prevent harm or injury to something. Example: "We implemented several safety measures to avoid damage to the equipment during the storm."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

At such point they would have disconnected to avoid damage.

The Guardian

He also wants to avoid damage to his shareholders.

The New York Times

New York Power outages: 1.13m due to flood damage and deliberate blackouts to avoid damage.

The Guardian

But they said they would step down to avoid damage to the institution.

The New York Times

For now, the club is continuing to irrigate as usual, to avoid damage to turf.

The New York Times

New York and other states declared emergencies; the Navy ordered ships to sea to avoid damage.

The New York Times

May I claim a belief in God to avoid damage to my credibility and business?

The New York Times - Magazine

Engines required unleaded fuel to avoid damage to their catalytic converters, and power plummeted.

The New York Times

At this point, extreme care must be taken to avoid damage to the periosteum.

Strategies in Trauma and Limb Reconstruction

The magnitude of mud pressure applied has to be adequate to avoid damage.

Petroleum Science

A clear precursor before a phreatic eruption is a very useful signal to avoid damage.

Earth, Planets and Space

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing preventative measures, clearly specify what actions are being taken "to avoid damage". For example, "The equipment was covered with protective sheeting to avoid damage from dust and debris."

Common error

Avoid using "to avoid damage" without clarifying what kind of damage is being prevented. Instead of saying "Precautions were taken to avoid damage", be specific: "Precautions were taken to avoid water damage" or "...to avoid structural damage".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to avoid damage" functions as an infinitive phrase expressing purpose. It typically modifies a verb, explaining the reason for the action described by the verb. Ludwig AI confirms that is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

25%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to avoid damage" is a grammatically correct and very common infinitive phrase used to express the purpose of preventing harm or impairment. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely applicable across diverse contexts, from science and news to general writing. The phrase's neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal communication. When using "to avoid damage", it's important to specify the type of damage being prevented to enhance clarity. Related phrases such as "to prevent harm" and "to mitigate loss" can offer nuanced alternatives depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to prevent harm

Emphasizes preventing general harm, which is broader than just damage.

to preclude injury

Focuses on preventing injury, often in a physical context.

to avert destruction

Implies preventing total ruin or obliteration.

to preclude destruction

Highlights avoiding any destruction from happening.

to mitigate loss

Highlights reducing potential losses, implying a more financial or abstract context.

to protect against impairment

Stresses safeguarding against weakening or diminishing something.

in order to protect

Uses a different structure focusing on the active protection.

to forestall deterioration

Focuses on stopping the process of decline or decay.

to circumvent failure

Emphasizes avoiding a complete breakdown or lack of success.

to guard against failure

Emphasizes the act of protecting something from failing.

FAQs

What does "to avoid damage" mean?

The phrase "to avoid damage" means to take actions or precautions in order to prevent something from being harmed or negatively affected. It expresses the intention of preventing harm or impairment.

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

You can use "to avoid damage" in a sentence to explain the reason for certain actions. For example, "The computers were covered "to avoid damage" from the dust" or "The goods were packed carefully "to avoid damage" during transit".

What are some alternatives to "to avoid damage"?

You can use alternatives like "to prevent harm", "to mitigate loss", or "to protect against impairment" depending on the specific context. Each alternative has a slightly different nuance.

Is it better to say "to prevent damage" or "to avoid damage"?

Both "to prevent damage" and "to avoid damage" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. "To prevent damage" emphasizes taking action to stop damage from happening, while ""to avoid damage"" focuses on steering clear of situations that could cause damage. The choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.