Common Mistakes : Avoid

 verb

.BAD: He put his hand over my mouth to avoid me to scream

.GOOD: He put his hand over my mouth to prevent me from screaming

.BAD: These new measures are intended to avoid the spread of the disease

.GOOD: These new measures are intended to prevent the spread of the disease

.GOOD: These new measures are intended to prevent the disease from spreading

avoid (doing) sth = be careful not to do something

.The best way to lose weight is to avoid eating fatty foods

.These drugs are dangerous and should be avoided

.Try to avoid subjects that can cause offence

prevent sb/sth (from doing sth) = stop someone or something from doing something; stop something from happening

.The wall is supposed to prevent dogs from getting into the garden

.It is hoped that the new speed limit will help to prevent accidents

.BAD: He is such a nice man that you can’t avoid liking him

.GOOD: He is such a nice man that you can’t help liking him

.BAD: I couldn’t avoid falling in love with her

.GOOD: I couldn’t help falling in love with her

can’t help doing sth = cannot stop yourself from doing something

.Whenever he tries to sing, I just can’t help laughing

BAD: I told him that we would be grateful if he would kindly avoid ringing our doorbell after midnight

GOOD: I told him that we would be grateful if he would kindly refrain from ringing our doorbell after midnight

refrain from doing sth = (formal) stop yourself from doing something because other people do not like it

.Hotel guests are asked to refrain from smoking in the restaurants

.BAD: I avoid to use a computer for personal letters

.GOOD: I avoid using a computer for personal letters

(avoid doing sth (NOT to do

.He obviously wants to avoid getting involved in the dispute