would like to avoid

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "would like to avoid" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a desire to prevent or steer clear of something in a polite manner. Example: "I would like to avoid any misunderstandings during our meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He has indicated that he would like to avoid surgery.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Putin said Moscow would like to avoid this situation.

The New York Times

Mr. Putin said Moscow would like to avoid this scenario.

The New York Times

However, they would like to avoid a large people carrier.

Independent

That's a future that the industry would like to avoid.

The New Yorker

The government would like to avoid such television coverage.

The Guardian

We would like to avoid the rains if possible.

The Guardian - Travel

"What I would like to avoid today is to write music for western films".

The Guardian - Music

But it's quickly followed by fat, a fate I would like to avoid.

The New York Times

Mr Bernheim would like to avoid a repeat.Explaining all this is hard enough.

The Economist

This time, the Jets would like to avoid a similar fate.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "would like to avoid" when you want to express a polite preference for preventing something, especially in formal or professional contexts.

Common error

Be mindful of overuse; actively stating what you will do, rather than what you "would like to avoid", can often strengthen your message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "would like to avoid" functions as a modal expression of preference or intention. It combines the conditional "would like" with the infinitive "to avoid", indicating a desired action to prevent something from happening. The Ludwig AI confirms its common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Social Media

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "would like to avoid" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to convey a polite preference for preventing something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s common in various contexts, especially in news and media, science, and formal business settings. While versatile, writers should balance its use with more active phrasing to strengthen their message. Consider alternatives like "hope to avert" or "desire to prevent" based on the specific context and desired tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

desire to prevent

Directly expresses a wish to stop something from happening.

try to steer clear of

Implies an effort to keep a safe distance from something, often something problematic or dangerous.

hope to avert

Conveys a sense of wishing to prevent something undesirable from occurring.

prefer to sidestep

Indicates a preference for avoiding something, often implying a skillful or strategic maneuver.

wish to evade

Implies a desire to escape or elude something, often with a sense of cunning or difficulty.

aim to circumvent

Suggests a deliberate effort to bypass or go around something, often a rule or obstacle.

intend to bypass

Highlights the intention to go around or avoid something, often in a planned or strategic way.

endeavor to evade

A more formal way of saying "wish to evade", implying a serious attempt to avoid something.

seek to preclude

Emphasizes the intention to prevent something from happening or existing.

want to preclude

Similar to "seek to preclude", emphasizing the desire to make something impossible.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "would like to avoid" in a formal context?

In formal settings, consider using phrases such as "desire to prevent", "seek to preclude", or "aim to circumvent" for a more elevated tone.

What's a more casual way to say "would like to avoid"?

For informal situations, you might opt for alternatives like "try to steer clear of" or simply "want to preclude" depending on the nuance you intend.

Is there a difference between "would like to avoid" and "prefer to avoid"?

While similar, "would like to avoid" often carries a slightly more polite or hesitant tone than "prefer to sidestep", which suggests a stronger inclination.

When is it best to use "would like to avoid" over other similar phrases?

Use "would like to avoid" when you want to express a preference with a degree of politeness or formality, making it suitable for professional communications and situations where tact is important.