Compare stopping an event with staying away from it.
The idea
Prevent stops something happening; avoid means stay away from something or refrain from doing it. Use prevent someone from doing and avoid doing.
| Verb | Meaning |
|---|---|
| prevent | stop something happening |
| avoid | stay away from something |
Examples
- Icy roads can prevent buses from arriving.
- The lid prevents dust from entering.
- The lock prevented a theft.
- We avoid the busy road at night.
- She avoids eating late before bed.
- They avoided the crowd by leaving early.
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Watch out
Do not say avoid to do; use an -ing form after avoid.
Try it yourself
Choose the correct word. A fence can ___ animals from entering. (prevent / avoid)
Show answer or example answer
prevent
prevent: the fence stops animals entering.
Choose the correct word. I take the train to ___ the traffic. (prevent / avoid)
Show answer or example answer
avoid
avoid: the speaker stays away from traffic.
Choose the correct word. She avoids ___ noise at night. (make / making)
Show answer or example answer
making
making: after the verb the action takes an -ing form.
Practice round
Answer questions and rebuild English sentences to practise. Your score is shown.
Choose the correct word. A fence can ___ animals from entering. (prevent / avoid)
Choose the correct word. I take the train to ___ the traffic. (prevent / avoid)
Choose the correct word. She avoids ___ noise at night. (make / making)
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Describe one risk you prevent and one place you avoid.