we want to avoid that

USAGE SUMMARY

'we want to avoid that' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it in any sentence where you want to express a desire to prevent or avoid something. For example, "We want to avoid that any of the children are harmed in this incident."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

But we want to avoid that prospect".

The Guardian

"Hatred and extremism is becoming normal in some places and we want to avoid that future for Aotearoa," said Devoy.

The Guardian

"And we want to avoid that — meaning uncalculated and hasty steps that produce more irrationality," he said, according to the official news agency.

The New York Times

On which platform to use, the source said: "We want to avoid that 'bloody little man', as Charles called BBC royal reporter Nicholas Witchell".

The Guardian

"We want to avoid that".

BBC

So we want to avoid that," Mr Carney said.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

We wanted to avoid that".

The New Yorker

We wanted to avoid that". Growers outside Minnesota weren't allowed to grow SweeTango at all, unless they joined Next Big Thing.

The New Yorker

"We don't want to topple the government … but we had a real fear that the discontent in Germany could end in civil war, and we wanted to avoid that".

The Guardian

"They hear that you're from the South and you've got five kids and your kids are home schooled, and they immediately think, 'ignorant religious zealot.' We wanted to avoid that".

The New York Times

We wanted to avoid that type of shit.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we want to avoid that", ensure the context clearly defines what 'that' refers to. Ambiguity can weaken the statement's impact.

Common error

Avoid using "we want to avoid that" as a standalone statement without specifying what outcome is undesirable. Always provide context to clarify the subject matter.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we want to avoid that" functions as a declarative statement expressing a desire to prevent a specific outcome. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is commonly used and grammatically correct. The examples provided confirm its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we want to avoid that" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that expresses a desire to prevent a specific outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and versatility. While suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and business, it's crucial to provide clear context to what "that" refers. For more formal situations, alternatives like "we wish to prevent that" or "we seek to preclude that" may be more appropriate. Avoiding ambiguity and considering the register ensures effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we wish to prevent that

Replaces "want to avoid" with the more formal "wish to prevent".

we seek to preclude that

Uses "seek to preclude" which is a more formal and emphatic way to express the desire to avoid something.

it is our intention to evade that

Replaces "want to avoid" with "intention to evade", suggesting a planned effort to circumvent something.

we are trying to avert that

Substitutes "want to avoid" with "are trying to avert", indicating an active attempt to prevent something negative.

we aim to steer clear of that

Replaces "want to avoid" with the idiomatic "aim to steer clear of", suggesting careful maneuvering to avoid something.

our goal is to bypass that

Uses "goal is to bypass" which implies a strategic decision to go around a potential problem.

we're keen to circumvent that

Replaces "want to avoid" with "keen to circumvent", indicating a strong desire to find a way around something.

we'd prefer to sidestep that

Uses "prefer to sidestep", suggesting a deliberate action to avoid direct confrontation or involvement.

we endeavor to obviate that

Replaces "want to avoid" with the more formal "endeavor to obviate", meaning to anticipate and prevent.

we are eager to elude that

Substitutes "want to avoid" with "are eager to elude", suggesting a strong desire to escape or evade something.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "we want to avoid that" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "we wish to prevent that" or "it is our intention to evade that".

What's a more emphatic way to say "we want to avoid that"?

To emphasize your desire to avoid something, you could say "we seek to preclude that" which suggests a strong intention to prevent something from happening.

Is "we want to avoid that" suitable for professional communication?

Yes, "we want to avoid that" is generally acceptable in professional communication. However, depending on the context, more formal alternatives like "we aim to steer clear of that" might be more appropriate.

In what situations is it best to use "we want to avoid that"?

Use "we want to avoid that" when you need to clearly state a preference against a particular outcome. It's suitable for both formal and informal settings, though choosing a more sophisticated phrase might enhance the impact in certain contexts.