was preventable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was preventable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that an event or situation could have been avoided or averted. Example: "The accident was preventable, and better safety measures could have saved lives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"If David's condition was preventable, and it wasn't prevented, that's really, really awful.

BBC

"I feel it was preventable.

The Guardian

Every single one was preventable.

The New York Times - Sports

We still think his death was preventable.

The Guardian

What was preventable, though, was the guilt.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"And," he said, "every one of those deaths was preventable".

The New York Times

We did not keep him safe and his death was preventable".

The Guardian

He added: "I said right from the start that this wasn't an accident, this was preventable.

The Guardian

Bacteriologist Hugh Pennington told BBC Radio Scotland that the disease was preventable.

The Guardian

Bacteriologist Hugh Pennington told BBC Radio Scotland said the disease was preventable.

The Guardian

The mother and the baby-girl died just like that for something that was preventable.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was preventable", clearly state the factors or actions that could have prevented the situation. This provides context and strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "was preventable" without considering the complexities of the situation. While an event might seem preventable in retrospect, unforeseen circumstances could have played a significant role.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was preventable" functions as a predicate adjective, describing the state or condition of something. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is correct and usable in written English, indicating that a particular event or situation could have been avoided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was preventable" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that an event could have been avoided. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used in written English. Predominantly found in news and scientific contexts, the phrase serves to highlight the avoidability of certain situations, often implying a critique or a call for better practices. When using "was preventable", be sure to clearly state the factors that would have prevented the event and avoid overstating preventability without acknowledging potential complexities. Alternatives such as "could have been avoided" and "was avoidable" offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was avoidable

A more direct synonym, simply stating the possibility of avoidance.

could have been avoided

Emphasizes the possibility of avoidance with a different verb tense and structure.

could have been averted

Focuses on the act of turning away or preventing something from happening.

need not have happened

Highlights the unnecessary nature of the event.

could have been forestalled

Implies taking advance action to prevent something.

was unnecessary

Directly states that the event did not need to occur.

could have been precluded

Suggests preventing something by taking action beforehand.

was needless

Highlights the unnecessary nature of an event that could have been avoided.

could have been intercepted

Emphasizes stopping something before it reaches its intended destination or outcome.

could have been mitigated

Focuses on reducing the severity or impact of an event.

FAQs

How can I use "was preventable" in a sentence?

Use "was preventable" to indicate that an event or situation could have been avoided if certain actions had been taken. For example, "The accident "was preventable" with better safety measures."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "was preventable"?

Alternatives include "could have been avoided", "could have been averted", or "was avoidable".

Is it always accurate to say something "was preventable"?

Not always. While an event may appear preventable in hindsight, unforeseen factors might have contributed. Use the phrase judiciously and consider all circumstances.

What's the difference between "was preventable" and "was unavoidable"?

"Was preventable" means an event could have been stopped from happening, while "was unavoidable" indicates that nothing could have been done to prevent it.