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Emily__ Posted 20 years ago
Grammar
prevent/avoid
I think that all these three senteces are grammatically correct, but only the first one is correct according to my test resolution:
They turned down the music so as not to wake the children.
They turned down the music to prevent to wake the children.
They turned down the music to avoid to wake the children.
Could you tell me, why 2 and 3 are not correct? Thank you.
They turned down the music so as not to wake the children.
They turned down the music to prevent to wake the children.
They turned down the music to avoid to wake the children.
Could you tell me, why 2 and 3 are not correct? Thank you.
Top answer
Should be: 2) They turned down the music to prevent THE CHILDREN FROM WAKING. 3) They turned down the music to avoid WAKING the children.
- Should be: 2) They turned down the music to prevent THE CHILDREN FROM WAKING.
- 3) They turned down the music to avoid WAKING the children.
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13 Answers
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Should be:
2) They turned down the music to prevent THE CHILDREN FROM WAKING.
3) They turned down the music to avoid WAKING the children.
2) They turned down the music to prevent THE CHILDREN FROM WAKING.
3) They turned down the music to avoid WAKING the children.
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Emily__They turned down the music to prevent to wake the children.Well, when I look at it, I see two infinitive phrases in each of the sentences. If you read it your self, it sounds pretty bad.
They turned down the music to avoid to wake the children.
Could you tell me, why 2 and 3 are not correct? Thank you.
In grammar
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In English you have to remember that the choice between the infinitive form (to wake) and the gerund form (waking) often depends on the preceding verb.
For example, want governs an infinitive and avoid governs a gerund, so we say:
I don't want to wake the children.
I avoided waking the children.
And not:
For example, want governs an infinitive and avoid governs a gerund, so we say:
I don't want to wake the children.
I avoided waking the children.
And not:
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CalifJimIn English you have to remember that the choice between the infinitive form (to wake) and the gerund form (waking) often depends on the preceding verb.
Most of the time: A gerund after a verb that governs the infinitive is wrong. An infinitive after a verb that governs the gerund is wrong.
(Some verbs can govern either form.)
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Emily__I think that all these three senteces are grammatically correct, but only the first one is correct according to my test resolution:
They turned down the music so as not to wake the children.
They turned down the music to prevent to wake the children.
They turned down the music to avoid to wake the children.
Could you tell me, why
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Thank you.
One more question - is the sentence below also correct when I took out the preposition "from"?
To prevent being a victim of auto break-in, do not leave anything valuable inside your car, especially in plain view.
Is it grammatically correct?
One more question - is the sentence below also correct when I took out the preposition "from"?
To prevent being a victim of auto break-in, do not leave anything valuable inside your car, especially in plain view.
Is it grammatically correct?
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To prevent (from) being a victim of auto break-in, do not leave anything valuable inside your car, especially in plain view.
I think both are correct, but at The New York Times:
"to prevent from being"
is 8 times less frequent than
"to prevent being"
I think both are correct, but at The New York Times:
"to prevent from being"
is 8 times less frequent than
"to prevent being"
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How about:
"To prevent YOURSELF (FROM) BECOMING a victim of..."
Or:
"To AVOID BECOMING a victim of... "
"To prevent YOURSELF (FROM) BECOMING a victim of..."
Or:
"To AVOID BECOMING a victim of... "
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AnnvanHow about: "To prevent YOURSELF (FROM) BECOMING a victim of..." Or: "To AVOID BECOMING a victim of... "This is a good example where avoid and prevent will work. They are both ok.
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OK, if the preposition "from" is less used, I lost the differential point when to use "prevent" and when "avoid" in the test:
"You´ll have to get down low and hide behind the wall to prevent/avoid being seen by the police."
Only "avoid" is correct. Maybe there is some slight difference in the meaning....?
"You´ll have to get down low and hide behind the wall to prevent/avoid being seen by the police."
Only "avoid" is correct. Maybe there is some slight difference in the meaning....?
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