try to steer clear of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "try to steer clear of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when advising someone to avoid a particular situation, person, or thing. Example: "In order to maintain a positive work environment, it's best to try to steer clear of office gossip."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

"We try to steer clear of that".

The New Yorker

I try to steer clear of heartbreaks.

The New York Times - Magazine

And scuba divers try to steer clear of everyone else.

The New York Times

"Textbook developers try to steer clear of controversy as much as possible," she said.

The New York Times

AT the very least, investors can try to steer clear of making big bets on the potential losers.

The New York Times

As much as I try to steer clear of trends, I have recently been considering this possibility, but in reverse.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

She said she tries to steer clear of uncool.

The New York Times

She has her opinions, but is trying to steer clear of the debate.

The New York Times - Sports

But at Thursday's news conference, the four committee leaders tried to steer clear of partisanship.

The New York Times

But she's tried to steer clear of caricatures about '60s radicals.

The New York Times - Magazine

Another justice might have tried to steer clear of the top spot on this chart.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When advising someone, "try to steer clear of" can be useful for suggesting avoidance of potentially harmful situations or topics. For example, "When discussing politics, try to steer clear of controversial subjects to maintain a peaceful conversation."

Common error

While "try to steer clear of" is acceptable, overuse can make writing sound repetitive. Use synonyms like "avoid" or "evade" to diversify your language and maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "try to steer clear of" primarily functions as a recommendation or suggestion to avoid a particular situation, person, or thing. It's used to advise caution and prevent potential negative outcomes. This is supported by Ludwig, which validates its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Wiki

25%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "try to steer clear of" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase that advises avoiding something potentially problematic. It's prevalent in news and media, and suitable for neutral to informal contexts. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase is generally well-regarded and can be useful in offering gentle guidance. Remember to avoid overuse by incorporating alternatives such as "attempt to avoid" or "seek to evade" to enhance writing diversity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attempt to avoid

Focuses on the attempt to evade something, similar meaning but with a slightly different nuance.

seek to evade

Emphasizes the action of actively trying to evade something.

make an effort to avoid

Highlights the effort involved in avoiding something.

aim to sidestep

Implies skillful maneuvering to avoid something.

endeavor to evade

A more formal way of expressing the attempt to avoid.

do your best to avoid

Emphasizes the effort and intention in avoiding something.

take care to avoid

Highlights caution and attentiveness in avoiding something.

be careful to evade

Implies that caution should be taken when evading something.

strive to avoid

Suggests making a significant effort to avoid something.

work to circumvent

Suggests active measures and tactics being used to avoid something.

FAQs

How can I use "try to steer clear of" in a sentence?

You can use "try to steer clear of" when advising someone to avoid something. For example, "If you're trying to save money, try to steer clear of impulse purchases."

What does "try to steer clear of" mean?

It means to attempt to avoid someone or something, usually because it is seen as potentially problematic or harmful.

What can I say instead of "try to steer clear of"?

You can use alternatives like "attempt to avoid", "seek to evade", or "make an effort to avoid" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "try to steer clear of" or simply "avoid"?

"Try to steer clear of" suggests an effort or attempt to avoid, while "avoid" is a more direct command. The choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.