ENGLISH
REFERENCE

avoiding

v.
A2 Elementary US //əˈvɔɪdɪŋ// UK //ɐvˈɔɪdɪŋ// avoid·ing

v. staying away from a person, place, or thing. You do this when you do not want to deal with something or want to prevent something bad from happening.

v. keeping away from or preventing the occurrence of something. Transitive — requires a direct object, which is frequently a gerund when describing an action.


SIMPLE

She is avoiding her boss today.

CONTEXTUAL

Many drivers are avoiding the main highway this morning because of the heavy construction work.

COMPLEX

By avoiding direct confrontation and instead focusing on shared goals, the mediator successfully guided both parties toward a compromise that had previously seemed impossible.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Usage

The verb is transitive. When followed by another action, it must take the gerund (-ing) form, not the infinitive.

Pitfall

I am avoiding to talk to himI am avoiding talking to himAvoid is followed by a gerund (-ing), never a 'to' infinitive.

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