to avoid doubt

USAGE SUMMARY

'to avoid doubt' is a common phrase used in written English.
You can use it to clarify a situation and to avoid confusion or misinterpretations. For example: "Please note that these policies apply to all employees, to avoid doubt."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Mr Vaz said: "To avoid doubt, an open register could be introduced and the template already in place for former ministers could be adopted".

Independent

In short, the event may or may not have been fixed, but what seems certain is that every possible effort should have been made to avoid doubt, and was not.

The Guardian - Sport

To avoid doubt, the following analysis is not meant to condone the objectives of the Sith, which are galactic chaos, indiscriminate death, and dominance over others' self-determination.

TechCrunch

During the 2009 parliamentary debate on the right to vote's status, Thio Li-ann proposed that, to avoid doubt, the right should be specifically set out in the Constitution.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

To avoid doubts that not all of CAD isoforms were silenced, a conservative fragment of 480 nt was chosen to be used in the transformation.

BMC Plant Biology

But even a judge whose conduct seems above reproach can't avoid doubt about his impartiality when he accepts gifts from lawyers and others with cases before him.

The New York Times

This particular reimbursement was to avoid "any doubt".

The Guardian

When people are afraid, they don't think; they rush to simplicities, and make quick, rash decisions in order to avoid annihilating doubt.

The New Yorker

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

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

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to avoid doubt" to explicitly state the reason for providing additional information or clarification in legal documents, contracts, or technical manuals where precision is essential.

Common error

Avoid using "to avoid doubt" in casual conversation or informal writing. It can sound overly formal and stilted. Opt for simpler phrases like "to be clear" or "just so you know" in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to avoid doubt" functions as an introductory phrase or discourse marker. It serves to explicitly state the intention behind a subsequent clarification or specification, ensuring there is no room for misinterpretation, as supported by examples in Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to avoid doubt" serves as a purpose connector, signaling an intention to eliminate ambiguity. Ludwig AI classifies it as grammatically correct and suggests it's used to clarify situations and prevent misinterpretations. While not extremely common, the phrase appears across diverse sources, including news outlets and scientific publications. It's best used in contexts where clarity is paramount, such as legal documents or technical manuals; avoid overuse in casual settings. Related phrases include "for clarity" and "to clarify". Using this phrase thoughtfully helps ensure your message is understood precisely as intended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for the avoidance of doubt

A more formal and emphatic version of the original phrase.

for clarity

Emphasizes the intention of making something clear.

to clarify

Directly states the action of making something clearer.

to ensure clarity

Focuses on guaranteeing a clear understanding.

in order to clarify

Specifies the purpose of clarifying something.

to be clear

States the intention of being unambiguous.

to preclude ambiguity

Aims to prevent any ambiguity or uncertainty.

to remove uncertainty

Focuses on eliminating any potential uncertainty.

to prevent confusion

Aims to stop potential confusion or misunderstanding.

let me be clear

Directly addresses the audience to ensure they understand without any ambiguity.

FAQs

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

You can use "to avoid doubt" to introduce a clarification or restatement, such as: "The policy applies to all employees, to avoid doubt."

What are some alternatives to "to avoid doubt"?

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

Is it better to say "to avoid doubt" or "for the avoidance of doubt"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "for the avoidance of doubt" is generally considered more formal and is often used in legal or official contexts.

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

It's appropriate in situations where you want to ensure there is no ambiguity or misunderstanding, such as in contracts, legal documents, or technical instructions.