to avoid misunderstandings

USAGE SUMMARY

"to avoid misunderstandings" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used in various contexts where the speaker or writer wants to prevent any confusion or misinterpretation of their words or actions. Here are a few example sentences: - "To avoid misunderstandings, I want to clarify that I will not be able to attend the meeting tomorrow." - "We have included detailed instructions in the manual, to avoid misunderstandings during the assembly process." - "Let's discuss this matter openly and honestly, in order to avoid misunderstandings in the future." - "We apologize for any inconvenience caused. Our team is working to resolve the issue quickly, to avoid misunderstandings with our customers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

They can, however, help to avoid misunderstandings.

The Economist

But we must be careful to avoid misunderstandings and pointless controversies.

The New York Times

Mr Ghosn is adding Japanese to the four languages he already speaks, but he sticks to English to avoid misunderstandings.

The Economist

Marilyn Grant, who conducted a seminar on safety in the schools, gave the recruits some simple steps to avoid misunderstandings.

The New York Times

The police have placed more of the unit's officers in uniform to avoid misunderstandings that might arise when people are approached by plainclothes officers with guns.

The New York Times

These meetings will involve bizarre overlapping -- 11 of NATO's 19 members are also members of the European Union -- but reflect a determination to avoid misunderstandings.

The New York Times

He points out, for example, that the Soviets and Americans maintained a nuclear hotline at the height of the cold war to avoid misunderstandings.

The Economist

Keith Steier, the president of Knockout Renovation in Brooklyn, said that even contracts for relatively minor work should be as detailed as possible to avoid misunderstandings later.

The New York Times

And so to avoid misunderstandings, when offered a secret, you should clarify the matter by saying something like, "I won't tell anyone except my wife".

The New York Times - Magazine

He said that the thousands of rejected cases would be reviewed by "a select group of caseworkers," and that steps would be taken to avoid misunderstandings about exactly who is eligible and "to ensure that all eligible cases are assisted".

The New York Times

Thus the rules should clearly state how the prize money will be allocated in case of a tie, to avoid misunderstandings, hurt feelings or anybody Krazy-Gluing anybody else's mouse to a desk.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use clear and simple language with any writing where the primary goal is to transmit precise information and reduce any potential ambiguity. Using "to avoid misunderstandings" as an introduction to the following point emphasizes the importance of precision.

Common error

While useful, overusing "to avoid misunderstandings" can make your writing sound repetitive. Use it strategically when emphasizing a critical clarification, but vary your phrasing for other instances.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to avoid misunderstandings" functions as an introductory phrase that indicates the purpose or reason for the statement that follows. It's commonly used to signal a clarification, explanation, or precautionary measure. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to avoid misunderstandings" serves as a purpose connector, signaling an intent to clarify and prevent misinterpretations. Ludwig AI analysis confirms this phrase is correct and very commonly used across diverse contexts like news, science, and formal communication. While valuable, avoid overuse and consider alternatives like "to avert misunderstandings" or "to ensure clear communication" for variety. When precision is vital, this phrase effectively highlights the importance of clarity and proactive communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to avert misunderstandings

Replaces "avoid" with "avert", implying a proactive prevention of misunderstandings.

to prevent misinterpretations

Substitutes "misunderstandings" with "misinterpretations", focusing on incorrect interpretations.

to forestall misinterpretations

Replace "avoid" with "forestall" has a similar meaning to "to avert misunderstandings".

to preclude confusion

Uses "preclude" instead of "avoid", suggesting a more forceful prevention of confusion.

in order to clarify

Shifts the focus to making things clear, which inherently helps to avoid misunderstandings.

for the sake of clarity

Similar to "in order to clarify", this emphasizes the importance of being clear.

to ensure clear communication

Highlights the importance of making sure the message is clearly received.

to head off any confusion

Uses a more informal tone, suggesting a quick and preemptive action to stop confusion.

to dispel any ambiguity

Focuses on removing any vagueness or uncertainty that could lead to misunderstandings.

in an effort to be clear

States the intent to be clear as a means of preventing misunderstandings.

FAQs

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

You can use "to avoid misunderstandings" to introduce a clarification or a specific detail. For example, "To avoid misunderstandings, please submit your requests 24 hours in advance".

What are some alternative phrases "to avoid misunderstandings"?

You can use alternatives like "to avert misunderstandings", "to prevent misinterpretations", or "in order to clarify" depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to explicitly state "to avoid misunderstandings"?

No, it's not always necessary. Sometimes, clear and concise language is sufficient. Use the phrase when you anticipate potential confusion or ambiguity and want to emphasize the need for clarity.

What's the best way to ensure clarity in communication?

Besides using phrases like "to avoid misunderstandings", ensure you use simple language, provide context, and are open to questions and feedback. Active listening and clear articulation are key to effective communication.