avoided to engage in vs avoided engaging in

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in slightly different contexts. 'Avoided engaging in' is more commonly used and sounds more natural in everyday English. 'Avoided to engage in' is less common but can be used in formal or literary contexts.

Last updated: March 24, 2024 • 769 views

avoided to engage in

This phrase is less common but can be used in formal or literary contexts.

This phrase is correct but less commonly used. It can be used in formal or literary contexts to indicate the action of avoiding something.

Show examples from the web [+]

European businesses continue to engage in illegal operations and ethically unacceptable business practices in developing countries.
Today it is a functioning market economy and will presumably be able to engage in international competition.
These provisions will improve customers, in particular consumers, confidence to engage in cross-border trade.
I have a need for a gentleman who's not hesitant to engage in dangerous endeavors.
My first action as a mother should not be to engage in criminal activity.
I refuse to engage in extortion or let others do so.
Afghanistan's an interesting place, replete with opportunities for an enterprising enlisted man to engage in.
You seize every opportunity to engage in people's lives.
Others are willing to engage in the conversation.
I simply miscalculated her need to engage in gestures of futility.
You have no duty to engage in personal projects of your own making.
You need to engage in a cover conversation near your target.
In your current condition, it is not wise to engage in a physical confrontation.
Nor do I believe she is likely to engage in serious criminal misconduct.
To engage in retaliation is not to live in his image.
He cannot "decide" to engage in criminal behavior.
A bit reluctant to engage in...
The second directive forbids any inmate to engage in any commercial enterprise.
It allows us to engage in really new and interesting ways.
Instead, she tries to engage in a very important dialogue about her culture, nation and heritage.

Alternatives:

chose to avoid engaging in
decided to avoid participating in
opted not to engage in
refrained from engaging in
eschewed engaging in

avoided engaging in

This phrase is more commonly used and sounds more natural in everyday English.

This phrase is correct and commonly used in everyday English. It indicates the action of avoiding something.

Show examples from the web [+]

That is precisely what has to be avoided, and we will do it by engaging in a dialogue with Russia on how we can give Kaliningrad a share in the benefits that European integration offers to the Baltic region as a whole.
That's engaging in the wrong debate.
Your father was engaging in his...
We will build a revolutionary youth movement capable of actively engaging in the war against the imperialists.
Then there are unpaid trainees engaging in vocational training.
He's engaging in risky behavior, obviously.
One count engaging in conspiracy to commit securities fraud.
Anxiety is a perfectly normal physiological response to the vulnerability that comes with engaging in a creative endeavor.
I fear Cotton is engaging in something dangerous tonight.
Because that's what civilized people do after engaging in carnal relations.
About other people engaging in PDA.
We were engaging in a simple business transaction.
His First Officer has confined him for engaging in this unprofitable venture.
I believe he was engaging in civil disobedience, protesting the overcrowded conditions.
As I will not be engaging in this nonsense, my choice of beverage is moot.
She's engaging in effective psychological warfare breaking you down without lifting a finger.
It appears that we are both engaging in a game of deception.
Mounting a defense is still engaging in battle.
- He's engaging in reductio ad absurdum.
- He's engaging in reductio ad absurdum.

Alternatives:

chose to avoid engaging in
decided to avoid participating in
opted not to engage in
refrained from engaging in
eschewed engaging in

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avoided to engage in vs avoided engaging in