to deter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to deter" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used as part of an infinitive verb phrase, such as "to deter someone from doing something." Example: "The increased police presence is meant to deter crime in the neighborhood."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

You try to deter misconduct.

The New Yorker

Some are more likely to deter them.

The Economist

And it has to deter shoplifters.

The New York Times

This is meant to deter the smugglers.

The Economist

Hikers use it to deter bears.

The New York Times

It tends to deter foreign investors.

The Economist

This helped to deter Pietersen.

The Guardian - Sport

Nothing seemed to deter her.

The Guardian

Wouldn't its only purpose be to deter?

The Economist

But that's not going to deter us.

The Guardian

That's the only way to deter it".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, specify what action or outcome you are trying "to deter". This provides context and strengthens the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using the passive voice when describing who or what is doing the deterring. Active voice makes your writing more direct and impactful: Instead of "Crime is hoped to be deterred by the new law", write "The new law hopes to deter crime".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to deter" functions as an infinitive of purpose, typically modifying a verb to explain the reason behind an action. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's a common construction used to express the intent of preventing a specific outcome or action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to deter" is a commonly used infinitive expressing the intention to prevent an action or outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. Analysis of example sentences reveals its prevalence in news and media, scientific writing, and formal business contexts. Related phrases include "to prevent", "to discourage", and "to dissuade", each offering a slightly different nuance. When using "to deter", it's best practice to clearly specify the action being deterred and avoid passive voice constructions for stronger impact. Overall, "to deter" is a versatile and effective phrase for communicating the goal of preventing something from happening.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to prevent

Focuses on stopping something from happening, similar to deterring, but broader in scope.

to discourage

Emphasizes persuading someone not to do something, a common aspect of deterring.

to dissuade

Like discourage, this highlights convincing someone against a course of action.

to inhibit

Implies hindering or restraining, which can lead to deterrence.

to preclude

Suggests making something impossible, a strong form of deterrence.

to avert

Highlights turning away or preventing something undesirable.

to forestall

Focuses on preventing something by acting in advance.

to impede

Implies slowing down or obstructing, which can serve as a deterrent.

to restrain

Suggests holding back or controlling, similar to preventing action.

to thwart

Highlights the act of preventing someone from accomplishing something.

FAQs

How can I use "to deter" in a sentence?

Use "to deter" to express the intention of preventing someone from doing something or preventing something from happening. For example, "The new security measures are designed to deter theft".

What are some alternatives to "to deter"?

You can use alternatives like "to prevent", "to discourage", or "to inhibit" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "to deter" or "for deterring"?

"To deter" is the infinitive form and is generally used to express purpose. "For deterring" is a gerund phrase and typically functions as a noun. The choice depends on the grammatical structure of the sentence.

What's the difference between "to deter" and "to prevent"?

While both aim to stop something, "to deter" often implies discouraging an action through fear or doubt, whereas "to prevent" is a more general term for stopping something from happening.