WOTW: avoid
| - Tim Lake |
“Avoid” is a verb that has several different but related meanings. Let’s have a look at some examples.
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The main mean of the verb “avoid” is keep away from or stop oneself doing.
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+ Some sunlight is good but avoid excessive sun exposure.
+ He avoided meeting her eye throughout the conversation.
+ She knew it was time to stop avoiding the conversation.
+ I try to avoid buying things that use too much packaging.
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A related meaning of “avoid” is trying not to meet someone.
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+ His co-workers had been avoiding meeting him all day.
+ It is not surprising she is lonely; most people prefer to avoid her.
+ I couldn’t avoid my boss and had to explain why I was late.
+ I don’t know why but it seems like she is avoiding me.
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A similar meaning of “avoid” is not going to or through a place.
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+ I always avoid Shinjuku at rush hour.
+ He doesn’t like crowded places and avoids them at all costs.
+ It is not an area of Tokyo I recommend, it is best to avoid going there.
+ She takes the long route home to avoid the walking across the park at night.
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Lastly “avoid” also means stop from happening.
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+ You had better book early to avoid disappointment.
+ If you follow the safety rules, many of the most common accidents can be avoided.
+ We can avoid the worst impacts of climate change by acting now.
+ The accident could have been avoided by regularly checking the system for faults.
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The pronunciation is / əˈvɔɪd/.
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This word is in the New General Service List, a list of the 3,000 most common words in English communication. You can get the full list on our website by clicking here.
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この単語は、英語で最もよく使われる3,000の単語のリストであるNew General Service Listからのものです。完全なリストはこちらから。
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