to avoid the latter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to avoid the latter" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express avoiding a particular outcome or situation. For example: "I prefer to stay in my hometown and not move away, to avoid the latter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

They are determined to avoid the latter.

The Economist

So, what can you do to avoid the latter?

The Guardian

They told Deamer & Phillips to find their inspiration in the former and, please, to avoid the latter.

The New York Times

For former C.I.A. officers, the tipping point between debate-generating critique and "if they had only listened to me" pontification is easy to cross, and I had hoped to avoid the latter by simply refraining from attempts at the former.

The New York Times

In order to avoid the latter and to respond to charges of parochialism, the defender of special obligations needs to deal with the distributive objection.

SEP

To avoid the latter, CEOs will have to become much more familiar with accounting to even know what questions to ask.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

So, self-respecting persons regard certain forms of acting, thinking, desiring, and feeling as befitting them as persons and other forms as self-debasing or shameful, and they expect themselves to adhere to the former and avoid the latter.

SEP

An obvious benefit of scientific inquiry is its ability to forecast future opportunities and risks as well as to explore ways to realize the former and avoid the latter.

Science Magazine

(Wake up call: Does a flashy new car every year look as good if it means being homeless as a 90-year old?) As a Certified Financial Planner, it is my job enable the former and to help my clients avoid the latter.

Huffington Post

Lather up on sunblock beforehand to avoid the former, but the latter might be unavoidable.

Los Angeles Times

Weakened by torture and aided by the hangman, Fawkes began to climb the ladder to the noose, but either through jumping to his death or climbing too high so the rope was incorrectly set, he managed to avoid the agony of the latter part of his execution by breaking his neck.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to avoid the latter", ensure a clear "former" exists in your sentence or the preceding context. This provides a clear reference for the reader.

Common error

A common mistake is using "to avoid the latter" without explicitly stating or implying the "former". This creates ambiguity and forces the reader to guess what is being avoided.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to avoid the latter" functions as an adverbial phrase of purpose. It indicates the reason or intention behind an action, specifically the desire to prevent or steer clear of a previously mentioned second option. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to avoid the latter" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate the intent to prevent a second, previously mentioned option. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It's most frequently found in news, scientific and encyclopedia contexts and its correct usage hinges on a clear understanding, either explicit or implicit, of what constitutes the "former". While synonyms exist, they subtly alter the nuance of avoidance. Therefore, ensure clarity and context when employing this phrase to communicate effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to prevent the latter

Focuses on taking proactive steps to stop the second option from happening.

to circumvent the latter

Emphasizes finding a way around the second option, implying a degree of cleverness or strategy.

to steer clear of the latter

Suggests consciously keeping a distance from the second option.

to eliminate the latter

Highlights the removal or complete prevention of the second option.

to bypass the latter

Highlights going around or over the second option, implying efficiency or directness.

to evade the latter

Suggests escaping or dodging the second option, possibly implying difficulty or risk.

to avert the latter

Indicates turning away or warding off the second option, often implying something negative.

to sidestep the latter

Emphasizes moving to the side to avoid the second option, often implying agility or finesse.

to dodge the latter

Suggests quickly avoiding the second option, perhaps implying danger or unpleasantness.

to preclude the latter

Implies making the second option impossible or unattainable.

FAQs

How can I use "to avoid the latter" in a sentence?

Use "to avoid the latter" after presenting two options or scenarios, where the "latter" refers to the second option you wish to prevent. For example: "We can invest in stocks or bonds; to avoid the latter, we need to assess the risks carefully".

What's a more formal way to say "to avoid the latter"?

More formal alternatives include "to preclude the latter" or "to avert the latter". These options add a touch of sophistication to your writing while maintaining the core meaning.

Is it always necessary to explicitly mention the "former" when using "to avoid the latter"?

While it's best practice to clearly state both options, the "former" might be implicitly understood from the context. However, explicit mention almost always improves clarity.

What are some common synonyms for "to avoid the latter"?

Alternatives include phrases like "to prevent the latter", "to circumvent the latter", or "to steer clear of the latter", each subtly altering the nuance of avoidance.