to prevent

USAGE SUMMARY

"to prevent" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used in the context of taking action to stop something from happening, such as: "The government implemented new policies to prevent the spread of the virus."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

To prevent injury.

The New York Times

To prevent me from leaving?

The New York Times

"We want to prevent that".

The Guardian

How to prevent future recessions.

The New York Times

So as to prevent pandemonium?

The New Yorker

We're trying to prevent that.

The New York Times

Powerless to prevent Pilar's goal.

Independent

Carl had to prevent that.

The New Yorker

– to prevent a market collapse.

The Guardian

It's easier to prevent abuse.

The Economist

Businesses closed to prevent looting.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to prevent", ensure that the action you are trying to prevent is clearly stated and logically connected to the preventative measure. For example, "Wear gloves to prevent cuts" clearly links the action (wearing gloves) to the desired outcome (avoiding cuts).

Common error

Avoid using "to prevent" when the outcome is not entirely preventable, but only mitigable. Instead of saying "to prevent accidents" (accidents can still happen), consider "to minimize the risk of accidents".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to prevent" primarily functions as an infinitive of purpose. It explains the reason or intention behind an action. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's used to describe the aim of stopping something from occurring. Examples like "Stir to prevent burning" illustrate this function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

40%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to prevent" serves as an infinitive of purpose, primarily used to explain the intention behind an action aimed at averting an undesirable outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It's widely used in contexts ranging from WikiHow articles to news reports, indicating a neutral register suitable for diverse communication scenarios. Remember to clearly link preventative actions to their intended outcomes and avoid using it when complete prevention isn't possible. As Ludwig shows, alternatives such as "in order to avoid" or "so as to hinder" may offer nuanced options in certain situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in order to avert

This alternative emphasizes the act of turning away from something undesirable.

so as to avoid

This alternative is similar but focuses on the action of keeping away from something.

with the aim of hindering

This option focuses on obstructing or impeding something.

for the purpose of impeding

Similar to hindering, but emphasizes the intended goal.

as a means of precluding

This is a more formal alternative, indicating the exclusion of something.

to guard against

This alternative suggests taking precautions or protective measures.

in an effort to deter

Focuses on discouraging or dissuading something from happening.

with a view to forestalling

This phrase highlights acting in advance to prevent something.

for fear of

Expresses the action taken is driven by a desire to avoid the possibility of something bad happening.

lest

A more archaic, formal way of saying "to prevent" something undesirable.

FAQs

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

You can use "to prevent" to introduce the reason for taking a specific action. For example, "I exercise regularly "to prevent heart disease"".

What are some alternatives to using "to prevent"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "in order to avoid", "so as to hinder", or "with the goal of impeding".

Is it always necessary to include "to prevent" or can I omit it?

While it's not always necessary, including "to prevent" clarifies the purpose of an action, making your writing more explicit. Omitting it can sometimes lead to ambiguity. For instance, compare "Wear a helmet when cycling to prevent head injuries" with "Wear a helmet when cycling".

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

"To prevent" implies stopping something from happening, whereas "to avoid" means keeping away from something. Prevention focuses on stopping the occurrence, while avoidance focuses on steering clear of it.