tried to avoid

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tried to avoid" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing an effort made to prevent something from happening or to stay away from a particular situation. Example: "She tried to avoid confrontation by changing the subject during the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Ustinkin tried to avoid answering.

The Guardian

And many tried to avoid it.

The New York Times - Arts

So we tried to avoid this.

Cornell University

"It's something we tried to avoid.

The Washington Post

"I've really tried to avoid that.

The New York Times - Sports

I tried to avoid working here.

The New York Times

Fresco said Pistorius tried to avoid responsibility.

The Guardian

"I've tried to avoid the celebrity angle".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Above all, I tried to avoid illustration.

The New York Times

"I tried to avoid being unkind".

The New York Times - Books

Even then, many tried to avoid retaliation.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "tried to avoid", ensure the context clearly indicates what was being avoided and why. This provides clarity and strengthens the sentence's impact.

Common error

Avoid vague statements about what was being avoided. Instead of saying "He tried to avoid it", specify "He tried to avoid the difficult conversation" for better understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tried to avoid" functions as a verb phrase followed by an infinitive, indicating an action someone attempted to perform. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. Examples in Ludwig show it used to express attempts to evade responsibility, conflict, or specific actions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

18%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tried to avoid" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to describe an attempt to evade or prevent something. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is very common across various domains, including news, academia and scientific publications. Usage tips include ensuring clarity about what is being avoided. Related phrases include "attempted to evade" and "sought to prevent". By understanding its nuances and appropriate contexts, writers can effectively use "tried to avoid" to convey intention and effort in their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sought to evade

Emphasizes a deliberate and strategic attempt to avoid something.

attempted to evade

Highlights an effort made to escape or dodge a situation.

endeavored to steer clear of

Indicates a conscientious effort to maintain distance from something.

took steps to prevent

Focuses on proactive measures taken to avert a specific outcome.

made an effort to circumvent

Suggests using ingenuity or strategy to bypass an obstacle.

aimed to preclude

Indicates an intention to make something impossible or unlikely.

strove to avert

Implies a dedicated effort to prevent something negative from occurring.

maneuvered to dodge

Suggests skillful maneuvering to evade an unwanted situation.

worked to forestall

Emphasizes acting in advance to prevent something from happening.

sought to obviate

Indicates an attempt to remove or eliminate the need for something.

FAQs

How can I use "tried to avoid" in a sentence?

You can use "tried to avoid" to describe an attempt to prevent something or stay away from a situation. For example, "She "tried to avoid" the argument by leaving the room".

What can I say instead of "tried to avoid"?

You can use alternatives like "attempted to evade", "sought to prevent", or "endeavored to steer clear of" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "tried to avoid" or "tried avoiding"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but they have different meanings. "Tried to avoid" indicates an attempt to prevent something from happening, while "tried avoiding" suggests experimenting with avoidance as a solution.

What's the difference between "tried to avoid" and "avoided"?

"Tried to avoid" implies an effort was made, possibly unsuccessfully, while "avoided" indicates successful evasion. For example, "He "tried to avoid" the pothole, but still hit it" versus "He avoided the pothole by swerving".