was to avoid

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was to avoid" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the purpose or intention behind an action in the past. Example: "The main goal of the project was to avoid any potential risks that could arise during implementation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The point was to avoid a template.

The New York Times

The idea was to avoid oversimplification.

The New York Times

His natural tendency was to avoid people.

The Guardian

The idea was to "avoid stigmatation".

The Guardian

It was to avoid excess time and cost.

The Guardian

His key idea, he said, was to "avoid sentimentality".

The Guardian

My reason for coming was to avoid shoveling snow.

The New York Times

This particular reimbursement was to avoid "any doubt".

The Guardian

Step Three was to avoid a genuinely contested presidential election.

The New York Times

He was to avoid the unsavory black neighborhoods.

The New York Times

What the establishment really wanted was to avoid a scandal.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When starting a sentence with the expression "was to avoid", be clear about what "was" refers to.

Common error

A common error is using "was to avoid" without a clear subject for "was", leading to ambiguity. Ensure the preceding context explicitly identifies what 'was' aiming to avoid something. For example, instead of "Was to avoid errors, the code was rewritten", write "The purpose of the rewrite was to avoid errors".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was to avoid" functions as a purpose clause, indicating the intended outcome of a past action or strategy. It connects an action with its desired result, which is the prevention of something unwanted. Ludwig examples confirm its role in expressing intentionality.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

42%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was to avoid" is a versatile and grammatically sound construction used to express the intended prevention of something through a past action or strategy. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability across various domains, including News & Media and Science, where it frequently appears. When using "was to avoid", clarity is crucial; ensure the context clearly identifies what action was taken and what outcome was being prevented. Alternatives like "aimed to prevent", "intended to preclude", or "sought to circumvent" can offer subtle shifts in meaning, but "was to avoid" provides a direct and effective way to communicate purpose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the goal was to prevent

Changes the structure to emphasize the desired outcome.

the point was to preclude

Changes the structure to emphasize the objective.

the intention was to evade

Changes the structure to highlight the intent.

aimed to prevent

Focuses on the intention or goal behind the action.

sought to circumvent

Emphasizes finding a way around something, often a rule or obstacle.

intended to preclude

Highlights the act of making something impossible or preventing it.

had the purpose of averting

Specifically points to preventing a negative outcome.

was designed to evade

Suggests a strategic plan to escape or avoid something.

took steps to steer clear of

Implies a deliberate action to maintain distance from something.

made an effort to dodge

Conveys trying to quickly move out of the way of something.

FAQs

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

Use "was to avoid" to describe a past action taken to prevent a specific outcome. For example, "The strategy "was to avoid" direct confrontation" indicates the action taken to prevent direct confrontation.

What are some alternatives to "was to avoid"?

Alternatives include "aimed to prevent", "intended to preclude", or "sought to circumvent". Choose the alternative that best fits the nuance of your sentence.

Is it better to say "was to avoid" or "was for avoiding"?

"Was to avoid" is generally preferred because it clearly expresses intention or purpose. "Was for avoiding" is less common and can sound awkward. For example, "The plan "was to avoid" delays" is better than "The plan was for avoiding delays."

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

"Was to avoid" describes a plan or strategy, while "tried to avoid" describes an attempt. "The policy "was to avoid" conflict" means the policy was designed to prevent conflict. "They "tried to avoid" conflict" means they made an effort, but it doesn't guarantee success.