to be averted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be averted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the prevention or avoidance of something undesirable or negative. Example: "The crisis was serious, but with quick action, it was possible to be averted."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The number of STIs required to be averted is relatively high (364 averted STIs), because STI treatments are typically low cost and the long-term cost consequences of non-treatment are limited.

BMC Health Services Research

Panic had to be averted.

The New Yorker

But change is urgently needed if hard times are to be averted.

The New York Times

More focus and more aid are indispensable if further deterioration is to be averted.

The Guardian - Opinion

Advisers expect a full-throttle plunge off the fiscal cliff to be averted.

The New York Times

Top climatologists, such as James Hansen, now warn atmospheric CO2 must be reduced to 350 ppm, if global catastrophe is to be averted.

The Guardian - Opinion

A full diplomatic brawl between the countries seemed to be averted when the Canadian government said it would challenge the board's decision in Federal Court.

The New York Times

The government stimulus now coming into the pipeline may well allow growth to stay above zero and for an official recession to be averted.

The New York Times

Something needed to be done if the prospect of England's most naturally gifted batsman since David Gower slipping out of England colours was to be averted.

The Guardian - Sport

The tribe has maintained good relations with its neighbors, who welcomed the decision but agreed that a casino in the Hamptons had to be averted.

The New York Times

But a considerable jolt is going to be needed if a lasting attenuation of civic purpose and courage is to be averted.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to be averted" when you want to emphasize the possibility of preventing a negative outcome through proactive measures. It often implies a sense of urgency or importance in taking action.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "to be averted" can sound overly formal or dramatic in casual conversation. Choose simpler alternatives like "avoided" or "prevented" for everyday situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be averted" functions as a passive infinitive construction, typically used with modal verbs or auxiliary verbs like "is", "needs", or "can" to express the possibility or necessity of preventing something undesirable. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to be averted" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that conveys the possibility or necessity of preventing something undesirable. Ludwig AI underscores this point, highlighting its prevalence in various contexts. It is commonly found in news articles, scientific publications, and formal business documents. While generally appropriate for neutral to formal settings, using simpler alternatives may be better suited for informal conversation. Remember that phrases like "to be avoided" or "to be prevented" can be useful alternatives depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be prevented

Focuses on stopping something from happening, often through proactive measures; more direct and active.

to be avoided

Emphasizes steering clear of something, suggesting a more passive approach; broader in application.

to be warded off

Implies actively deflecting or protecting against something; more forceful and defensive.

to be forestalled

Highlights acting in advance to hinder or prevent something; more strategic and proactive.

to be precluded

Indicates making something impossible; carries a sense of finality and decisiveness.

to be obviated

Suggests removing the need for something, thus avoiding it; more about rendering something unnecessary.

to be mitigated

Focuses on reducing the severity of something, rather than preventing it entirely; less absolute.

to be circumvented

Implies finding a way around something, often through cleverness or কৌশল; less direct.

to be evaded

Emphasizes escaping or dodging something, suggesting a narrow escape; more about narrowly missing something.

to be sidestepped

Suggests avoiding something by moving to the side, implying a deliberate but subtle avoidance; less confrontational.

FAQs

How to use "to be averted" in a sentence?

The phrase "to be averted" is used to describe the possibility of preventing something negative from happening. For example, "The crisis needs "to be averted" through immediate action".

What can I say instead of "to be averted"?

You can use alternatives like "to be avoided", "to be prevented", or "to be forestalled" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "to be averted" or "to avert"?

"To avert" is the infinitive form of the verb, while "to be averted" is the passive infinitive. "To avert" means to prevent something, and "to be averted" means something needs to be prevented. For example, "We must act now to avert disaster" versus "Disaster is "to be averted"".

What's the difference between "to be averted" and "to be mitigated"?

"To be averted" implies preventing something entirely, while "to be mitigated" suggests reducing the severity of something that cannot be completely avoided. The former aims for complete prevention, the latter for damage control.