“Avoid” vs. “Prevent”: What’s the Difference?

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The difference between “avoid” and “prevent”

  • "Avoid" refers to abstaining from something that has not yet happened, while "prevent" refers to taking measures to stop something from happening in the first place.
  • "Avoid" suggests personal responsibility for one's own actions, while "prevent" implies taking steps to stop something external.
  • "Avoid" can refer to simply refraining from action, while "prevent" often involves a more active intervention to stop an event or action from happening.
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What is the definition of “avoid” and “prevent”?

Avoid
  • To stay away from; to keep oneself from doing something.
  • To refrain from engaging in a particular action or behavior.
  • To evade or avert something unpleasant or harmful.
Prevent
  • To stop something from happening before it occurs.
  • To hinder or obstruct the occurrence of a particular event.
  • To restrict someone from doing something.

Which is the more popular variant on the Internet?

“Avoid” is the more popular variant on the web.
More popular
Avoid
3,200,000,000 results on the web
Examples
  1. I will avoid eating junk food to maintain a healthy diet.
  2. She decided to avoid the busy street to arrive at the meeting on time.
  3. We should avoid making assumptions without verifying the facts.
Prevent
2,940,000,000 results on the web
Examples
  1. Regular exercise and a balanced diet can prevent some chronic diseases.
  2. Seatbelts can prevent serious injuries during car accidents.
  3. The security system installed in the building can prevent unauthorized entry.
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