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Neo Posted 21 years ago
Vocabulary

Stave off

Hello,

Please give me some comments regarding whether the following sentence sounds natural.

The company staved off the loss of market share.

first of all, I'm not sure if "stave off" and "loss of market share" get along well.
second, would it be better if I say, "staved off a loss of market share?"

Thanks in advance.
  

Top answer

The meaning is appropriate, but I think you are right: 'staved off' seems a little casual for a business context. How about 'averted'? 'The loss' if the loss has been mentioned before in the passage or is otherwise defined in the paragraph; 'a loss' if this is the first mention or it is a nonspecific loss (which has not yet occurred, perhaps).

— Mister Micawber

  • The meaning is appropriate, but I think you are right: 'staved off' seems a little casual for a business context.
  • How about 'averted'?
  • 'The loss' if the loss has been mentioned before in the passage or is otherwise defined in the paragraph; 'a loss' if this is the first mention or it is a nonspecific loss (which has not yet occurred, perhaps).
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2 Answers
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The meaning is appropriate, but I think you are right: 'staved off' seems a little casual for a business context. How about 'averted'?

'The loss' if the loss has been mentioned before in the passage or is otherwise defined in the paragraph; 'a loss' if this is the first mention or it is a nonspecific loss (which has not yet occurred, perhaps).
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Mister Micawber,
Thank you for the advice!
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