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REFERENCE

avoiding

v. · n.
US //əˈvɔɪdɪŋ// UK //ɐvˈɔɪdɪŋ// avoid·ing
  1. 1 staying away from (v.)
    A2 Elementary

    staying away from a person, place, or thing on purpose.

    the act of intentionally keeping away from a person, place, or situation. This gerund form functions as the object of a verb or preposition.

    Example

    She has been avoiding her neighbor since their argument last week.

    Example

    By avoiding the main highways during rush hour, the courier managed to deliver the documents ahead of the strict deadline.

    Usage

    Always followed by a noun phrase or a gerund; never followed by an infinitive.
    Pitfall
    He is avoiding to talk to me.
    He is avoiding talking to me.

    The verb 'avoid' must be followed by a gerund (-ing form), not an infinitive (to + verb).

  2. 2 preventing something (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    trying to stop something bad or unpleasant from happening.

    taking action to prevent an undesirable outcome or to refrain from an action.

    Example

    Avoiding sugary snacks is a good way to stay healthy.

    Example

    The pilot focused on avoiding a collision by maintaining a safe distance from the other aircraft in the busy corridor.
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  1. 3 the act of avoidance (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    the act of keeping away from something.

    the action of shunning or staying clear of something; functions as a pure noun in formal or technical contexts.

    Example

    His constant avoiding of the truth made it hard to trust him.

    Example

    The systematic avoiding of tax obligations led to a significant investigation by the federal authorities.

    Teacher's tip

    While 'avoiding' can be a noun, 'avoidance' is much more common in formal writing.

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