we avoided

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we avoided" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing actions taken to prevent something from happening or to steer clear of a situation. Example: "In order to maintain a positive atmosphere, we avoided discussing controversial topics during the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

If they are avoidable, then why haven't we avoided them?

Huffington Post

"We avoided the fights".

The New York Times

But we avoided that.

The Guardian

"We avoided blowing up".

The New York Times

(We avoided Serbia).

The New York Times

"We avoided the psychologists," he told me.

The New Yorker

I was keen we avoided that cycle.

The Guardian

We avoided the issue of corruption.

The Guardian - Sport

We avoided each other at school.

The New Yorker

We avoided all areas of conflict.

The New York Times

"We avoided a disaster," Latrell Sprewell said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we avoided" when you want to clearly state that a specific action was taken to prevent an undesirable outcome or situation. Make sure the context clearly indicates what was avoided and why.

Common error

Avoid using "we avoided" in overly passive constructions that obscure the agent or action. Be direct about who took action and what the potential consequence was to strengthen your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we avoided" functions as a declarative statement, indicating a specific action taken to avert or circumvent something. It expresses a completed action with a clear subject and verb. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is considered grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we avoided" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that a specific action was taken to prevent an undesirable outcome. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness of the phrase, and it is widely used in contexts ranging from news and media to scientific publications. Alternatives such as "we circumvented" or "we steered clear of" can provide nuanced variations in meaning. When using "we avoided", ensure clarity by specifying both the action taken and the potential consequence that was averted to strengthen your writing. Overall, its widespread use and versatility make it a valuable addition to any writer's toolkit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we steered clear of

Implies consciously keeping a distance from something potentially troublesome.

we kept away from

Emphasizes maintaining a physical or emotional distance.

we sidestepped

Highlights a deliberate maneuver to avoid something, often a difficult question or issue.

we refrained from

Emphasizes self-control in abstaining from a particular action or topic.

we circumvented

Focuses on skillfully finding a way around an obstacle or challenge.

we abstained from

Similar to refrained from, but often used in more formal contexts.

we bypassed

Emphasizes going around or skirting past something, often to save time or effort.

we evaded

Suggests escaping or dodging something, often with a degree of cunning.

we prevented

Focuses on stopping something from happening.

we warded off

Suggests actively defending against something harmful or undesirable.

FAQs

How can I use "we avoided" in a sentence?

"We avoided" is used to indicate that a particular action or situation was circumvented or prevented. For example, "We avoided the traffic jam by taking a different route."

What are some alternatives to "we avoided"?

You can use alternatives like "we circumvented", "we bypassed", or "we steered clear of" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "we avoided" or "we prevented"?

While both are similar, "we avoided" implies steering clear of something, while "we prevented" emphasizes stopping something from happening. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does it mean when someone says "we avoided a disaster"?

It means that a potentially catastrophic event was successfully averted. This suggests that specific actions were taken to prevent a very negative outcome.