to avoid further suffering

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to avoid further suffering" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where one is discussing the prevention of additional pain or distress, often in relation to difficult situations or decisions. Example: "The doctor recommended euthanasia for the terminally ill pet to avoid further suffering."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

This means reducing the suffering of those worst affected and acting now to avoid further suffering in the future.

The Guardian

One of the latest three investigations is thought to concern a British Muslim who is alleged to have been subjected to mistreatment at Bagram, and who is said to have subsequently agreed to work as an informant for MI5 in order to avoid further suffering.

The Guardian

People began to suggest negotiating with the royalists, seeking to avoid further suffering in the city.

Wikipedia

Special attention was taken to determining the humane end points and decided whether the mice should be euthanized in order to avoid further suffering.

EMBO Molecular Medicine

The surveillance system personnel are also responsible for determining the humane end points and for deciding whether the animals should be euthanized in order to avoid further suffering.

EMBO Molecular Medicine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

International train services were suspended, as were domestic flights, but most international flights were operating normally as Greek air traffic controllers stayed on the job to avoid further harm to the crucial tourism sector, already suffering from previous walkouts.

The New York Times

In Israel, politicians and intellectuals on the left, many of whom supported the initial attack on Gaza as a means to send a message to Hamas regarding rocket fire, began calling for an end to the operation and for intensive work on a truce, so as to avoid further movement of Israeli ground troops into Gaza and further civilian suffering there.

The New York Times

"The goal is to avoid further controversy".

The New York Times

Clive leaves to avoid further trouble.

The New Yorker

"Afterwards, they chose to be silent to avoid further attack.

The Guardian

All action must be taken to avoid further bloodshed.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for conciseness, consider if simpler terms like "to prevent suffering" effectively convey your message, especially in less formal contexts.

Common error

While grammatically correct, using "to avoid further suffering" in very casual conversation might sound overly formal or dramatic. Opt for more natural alternatives like "to stop it from getting worse" in everyday scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to avoid further suffering" functions primarily as an infinitive phrase of purpose. It expresses the reason or intention behind an action, aiming to prevent the continuation or increase of pain and distress. Ludwig AI confirms this.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to avoid further suffering" is a grammatically correct infinitive phrase used to express the purpose of preventing continued or increased distress. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness. Commonly found in science, news and media, and formal business contexts, the phrase maintains a formal to neutral register. While the phrase is suitable for formal writing, it may sound overly dramatic in casual conversation. Related phrases include "in order to prevent more suffering" and "so as not to cause additional suffering". Key considerations include using more natural language in informal settings and recognizing that the phrase implies existing suffering that needs to be prevented from worsening.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in order to prevent more suffering

Replaces "to avoid" with "in order to prevent", emphasizing the intention to stop suffering.

so as not to cause additional suffering

Uses "so as not to cause" to highlight the aim of preventing suffering.

with the goal of preventing future distress

Focuses on the goal of preventing distress in the future.

to preclude further pain

Replaces "suffering" with "pain" and "avoid" with "preclude", using more formal vocabulary.

to avert further agony

Substitutes "suffering" with "agony" to intensify the emotional impact.

to eliminate additional distress

Emphasizes the removal of distress rather than avoiding it.

for the purpose of preventing more hardship

Focuses on preventing "hardship" which broadens the scope of suffering.

to reduce the risk of future misery

Highlights risk reduction of misery.

in an effort to minimize future pain

Emphasizes effort made to minimize pain.

with a view to prevent future sorrow

Emphasizes a forward looking view to prevent sorrow.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "to avoid further suffering" in a sentence?

You can replace "to avoid further suffering" with alternatives such as "to prevent additional pain", "to spare more distress", or "in order to prevent more suffering" depending on the specific context.

Is "to avoid further suffering" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "to avoid further suffering" is suitable for formal writing, especially in contexts discussing ethics, medicine, or humanitarian issues. However, ensure the tone aligns with the overall formality of the piece.

What's the difference between "to avoid suffering" and "to avoid further suffering"?

"To avoid suffering" generally refers to preventing suffering in the first place, while "to avoid further suffering" implies that some suffering already exists and the goal is to prevent it from worsening or continuing. The addition of "further" specifies a continuation of suffering.

In what contexts is "to avoid further suffering" most commonly used?

The phrase "to avoid further suffering" is frequently used in contexts related to medical ethics, animal welfare, and discussions about the consequences of actions. These areas often involve decisions aimed at minimizing or preventing continued distress.