IELTS Vocabulary: Understanding and Using ‘Avoid’
Learn the meaning, usage, and importance of the verb ‘avoid’ for your IELTS preparation. This video covers the word’s definition, history, synonyms, antonyms, example sentences, and common errors to help you use it effectively in your speaking and writing tasks.
Imagine you’re walking down the street and suddenly see someone you don’t want to talk to. What do you do?
You might try to avoid them. Today, we’re learning about the word avoid, an important vocabulary item for your IELTS preparation.
Word type: Avoid is a verb. This means it’s an action word.
Meaning: To avoid means to keep away from someone or something, or to prevent something from happening.
Word history: The word avoid comes from Old French, and it originally meant to empty out or to make void.
Over time, its meaning changed to what we use today.
Synonyms: Some words that mean almost the same as avoid are escape, evade, and dodge.
Antonyms: Words that mean the opposite of avoid include confront, face, and encounter.
Examples use in sentences: Let’s look at how to use avoid in different situations.
First: To avoid traffic, I always leave for work early. Second: The doctor advised me to avoid fatty foods.
Third: We should avoid wasting water to protect the environment. Common errors in use: Be careful not to confuse avoid with prevent.
While they are similar, avoid usually refers to keeping away from something, while prevent means to stop something from happening.
For example, you would say I avoid eating junk food, not I prevent eating junk food. Remember, using words like avoid correctly can help you express yourself more clearly in the IELTS test.
Practice using it in your speaking and writing to become more comfortable with this useful word.
