try and avoid

USAGE SUMMARY

"try and avoid" is a correct and usable phrasing in written English.
It is used to express the idea of making an effort to prevent something from happening. Example: "Try and avoid going outside on days when the air quality is bad."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I try and avoid them.

The Guardian - Music

8. Do... try and avoid plastic bags.

Independent

We took several precautions to try and avoid this.

Cornell University

They'll try and avoid hot areas, for example.

The Guardian

Please try and avoid perpetuating issues by referring to them!

The Guardian

Everything is now done to try and avoid a repeat.

The Guardian

"Really, I try and avoid them," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

"Teachers try and avoid it as a whole.

The Guardian

5. Try and avoid customers coming behind counter.

The New Yorker

And that's what you want to try and avoid.

Harvard Business Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Some people will try and avoid vent because they're faking.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "try and avoid" in formal writing, consider whether a more precise verb like 'prevent' or 'evade' might be more appropriate for clarity.

Common error

While acceptable in general writing, avoid overusing "try and avoid" in formal reports or academic papers. Opt for stronger, more direct verbs to enhance the text's impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "try and avoid" functions as an idiomatic expression used to express an intention or effort to prevent something from happening. Ludwig examples show its prevalence in various contexts. The Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Wiki

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "try and avoid" is a common and generally acceptable way to express an intention to prevent something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a usable phrase in written English. While its register leans towards neutral and informal, it's prevalent in news, media and wiki contexts. For more formal writing, consider alternatives like "make an effort to prevent". Remember, overusing "try and avoid" in formal settings might dilute the text's impact. The examples on Ludwig showcase its versatility, but always consider the context for the most appropriate word choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be careful to avoid

Emphasizes the need for caution and attention to prevent something from happening, differing slightly by adding an element of mindfulness.

try to steer away from

Suggests a gradual redirection of course to avoid something, as opposed to a sudden change.

make an effort to prevent

Emphasizes the conscious effort being made to stop something from happening. Slightly more formal and emphasizes effort.

work to steer clear of

Implies careful navigation to keep a safe distance from something. More conversational and emphasizes caution.

attempt to evade

Focuses on the attempt to elude or escape something, often implying cunning or strategy. It's slightly more formal.

seek to avert

Highlights the desire to ward off or prevent something, often something negative or dangerous. More formal and implies a serious threat.

endeavor to circumvent

Suggests finding a way around an obstacle or rule. More formal and implies ingenuity.

aim to sidestep

Suggests maneuvering around something, avoiding it without directly confronting it. Implies cleverness and indirectness.

do your best to dodge

Focuses on actively evading something, often quickly or unexpectedly. More informal and action-oriented.

take steps to preclude

Stresses taking proactive measures to make something impossible. Highly formal and emphasizes decisiveness.

FAQs

How can I use "try and avoid" in a sentence?

You can use "try and avoid" to suggest an effort to prevent something: "We should try and avoid making the same mistakes again."

What's a more formal alternative to "try and avoid"?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives like "attempt to evade" or "make an effort to prevent".

Is it grammatically correct to say "try and avoid"?

Yes, "try and avoid" is grammatically correct and commonly used in spoken and written English to indicate an attempt to prevent something.

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

While both phrases are very similar, "try to avoid" may sound slightly more formal, while "try and avoid" is often considered more conversational. In practice, they are largely interchangeable.