to avoid suspicion

USAGE SUMMARY

"to avoid suspicion" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe attempting to prevent someone from forming suspicions. For example: "She played dumb to avoid suspicion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"They do that to avoid suspicion.

The New York Times

Transparency is referred to the ability to avoid suspicion about the existence of a secret message.

Expert Systems with Applications

He needed to return to his neighborhood with a customer in the car to avoid suspicion.

The New York Times

To avoid suspicion, Mr. Huang apparently ate some of the stew himself.

The New York Times

He provided them with food and clothing, bought outside town to avoid suspicion.

The New York Times

"Behind it is the idea that to avoid suspicion, you must first arouse it," Simmonds laughs.

The Guardian

Ultimately, the best way to avoid suspicion, he said, is to work with living artists.

The New York Times - Arts

At what precise pace should a black man walk to avoid suspicion?

The New York Times

This involved going in at weekends and in the evenings to avoid suspicion.

Independent

Anxious to avoid suspicion, he doesn't risk staying there too often.

The Guardian

Under what circumstances, if any, can the attorney reveal information, and what other ways are there to avoid suspicion?

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to avoid suspicion", ensure the action taken to avoid suspicion is clearly linked to the phrase. This provides context and strengthens the sentence's clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "to avoid suspicion" when a different purpose is more accurate. For instance, if the goal is to maintain privacy, a phrase like "to maintain confidentiality" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to avoid suspicion" primarily functions as an infinitive phrase expressing purpose. It explains the reason behind an action, indicating the intent to prevent someone from becoming suspicious. Ludwig examples show varied contexts, confirming its adaptability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Wiki

24%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to avoid suspicion" is a common and grammatically correct infinitive phrase used to express the purpose of preventing doubt or mistrust. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely applicable across various contexts. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media, Wiki, and Science sources, indicating its versatility. When using the phrase, ensure the connection between the action and the intended outcome of preventing suspicion is clear. While generally neutral, be mindful of its potential negative connotations. Alternatives like "to fly under the radar" or "to deflect scrutiny" can offer different nuances depending on the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to prevent raising eyebrows

Focuses on preventing a specific reaction (raising eyebrows) rather than general suspicion.

to fly under the radar

An idiomatic expression meaning to avoid attracting attention.

to forestall mistrust

Uses more formal vocabulary, emphasizing proactive prevention of mistrust.

to deflect scrutiny

Highlights the act of diverting attention to avoid being suspected.

to maintain discretion

Focuses on behaving in a way that doesn't provoke curiosity or suspicion.

to keep under wraps

Emphasizes secrecy and concealment as a means to prevent suspicion.

to not arouse misgivings

A more formal and negative phrasing, emphasizing the avoidance of creating doubts.

to conceal intentions

Highlights hiding one's true purpose as a way to avoid suspicion.

to allay concerns

Focuses on reducing existing worries or anxieties that might lead to suspicion.

in order not to get caught

Focuses specifically on avoiding being caught doing something wrong, a type of suspicion.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "to avoid suspicion" in a sentence?

You can use alternatives like "to prevent raising eyebrows", "to fly under the radar", or "to deflect scrutiny" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "to avoid suspicion" and "to avoid detection"?

"To avoid suspicion" implies preventing someone from becoming suspicious, whereas "to avoid detection" focuses on not being discovered while doing something, often illicit. The former is about managing perception, the latter about evading discovery.

Is it always necessary to state why someone wants "to avoid suspicion"?

While not always necessary, providing context clarifies the motive and makes the writing more compelling. For example, "He lied about his whereabouts to avoid suspicion" is clearer than just "He lied to avoid suspicion".

Can "to avoid suspicion" have negative connotations?

Yes, it often implies that someone is doing something they don't want others to know about, or that they are trying to hide something. However, it can also be used in neutral contexts, such as taking precautions to prevent misunderstandings.