we prevented

USAGE SUMMARY

"we prevented" is correct and usable in written English.
You would use it when talking about something that was stopped from happening, for example: "We prevented a disaster by creating a plan to keep the project on track."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"And I feel we prevented a lot of problems".

The New York Times

"We prevented the worst, and I mean the worst".

The New Yorker

"We prevented the Soviets from taking over a very large part of Africa," he said.

The New York Times

But in any case we prevented her from being at the next Olympics".

The Guardian - Sport

Today we prevented them from getting off to a good start and building up momentum".

The Guardian - Sport

"We prevented him from doing something," the mayor said, "that we thought was wrong".

The New York Times

We prevented our daughter from seeing it, but what else could I have done?

The New York Times

"When we prevented them from being in there, I thought we were in control.

Independent

The whole thing lasted 60 seconds, we prevented them from getting on the road and they boarded the bus.

The New York Times

"As a result of these actions," the company said, "we prevented a widespread disruption of our network".

The New York Times

"We prevented massive cuts to public education, health care and public safety while also making extensive government reforms and passing new revenue.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we prevented", clearly state what was prevented and the action taken to prevent it for maximum clarity. For example, "We prevented the spread of the virus by implementing strict quarantine measures."

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the consequences that were prevented. Be realistic about the potential outcome and the degree to which your actions influenced the result. Instead of saying "We prevented a catastrophe", consider "We prevented significant damage".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we prevented" functions as a declarative statement, asserting that a specific action successfully stopped something from happening. It's a transitive construction, requiring a direct object indicating what was prevented. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatical and appropriate.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we prevented" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that conveys the successful stopping of an event or action. As Ludwig AI points out, it's appropriate for various contexts, particularly in news, science, and formal communications. When using this phrase, clarity is key; ensure the "we" is well-defined and the prevented outcome is clearly stated. Alternatives like "we averted", "we stopped", and "we avoided" can add nuance, and it's crucial to avoid overstating the impact of the prevention. By following these guidelines, writers can effectively communicate the positive outcomes achieved through preventative measures.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we averted

Focuses on successfully avoiding a negative outcome or crisis.

we stopped

Indicates a direct halting of an action or process.

we avoided

Emphasizes steering clear of something undesirable.

we blocked

Suggests a physical or metaphorical obstruction.

we halted

Implies bringing something to a standstill.

we precluded

Highlights making something impossible in advance.

we deterred

Focuses on discouraging an action through fear or doubt.

we impeded

Suggests slowing down or hindering progress.

we forestalled

Emphasizes acting in advance to prevent something.

we mitigated

Focuses on reducing the severity or impact of something.

FAQs

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

Use "we prevented" to describe an action taken to stop something from happening. For example, "We prevented the accident by applying the brakes in time."

What can I say instead of "we prevented"?

You can use alternatives like "we averted", "we stopped", or "we avoided" depending on the context.

Is it always clear what "we" refers to when using "we prevented"?

Ensure the "we" is clearly defined in your writing. Ambiguity can lead to confusion about who took the preventative action.

What's the difference between "we prevented" and "we avoided"?

"We prevented" implies taking action to stop something from occurring, while "we avoided" suggests steering clear of a situation altogether. Prevention requires intervention, while avoidance relies on circumvention.