to avoid misunderstanding vs to avoid misunderstandings

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'To avoid misunderstanding' is used when referring to a specific instance of misunderstanding, while 'to avoid misunderstandings' is used when talking about multiple instances of misunderstanding.

Last updated: March 25, 2024 • 1788 views

to avoid misunderstanding

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English when referring to a singular instance of misunderstanding.

This phrase is used when you want to prevent a specific misunderstanding from happening.

Examples:

I clarified my instructions to avoid misunderstanding.

Show examples from the web [+]

The approval of the asylum seeker should be requested to verify the content of the report, to avoid misunderstanding and facilitate the clarification of contradictions.
The line between legal and illicit fishing is sometimes very fine and we need to have a clear-cut definition in this regard in order to avoid misunderstanding.
If recovery of the purse-seine is allowed, follow the instructions for its stowage and explain the functioning of the gear in order to avoid misunderstanding.
In order to avoid misunderstanding, it should be clearly stated in the Level 1 text of the Transparency directive that US GAAP imposes 'equivalent requirements' for the purposes of Article 19(1).
In order to avoid misunderstanding we therefore voted for Amendment No 3, in the same spirit, even though it is not identical to our original proposal.
May I remind the House that five Member States - and to avoid misunderstanding, Greece is not one of them - have been charged by the Commission with failure to apply the previous, more lenient directive.
To avoid misunderstanding, I've itemized them here.
To avoid misunderstanding, the wording is simplified in order to make clear that both product and separate substances are meant in this article.
To avoid misunderstanding, it should also be detailed in that Decision that prior notifications should be addressed to the competent authorities at the Border Inspection Post or at the designated point of entry.

Alternatives:

to prevent misunderstanding
to steer clear of misunderstanding
to sidestep misunderstanding
to avert misunderstanding
to dodge misunderstanding

to avoid misunderstandings

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English when referring to multiple instances of misunderstanding.

This phrase is used when you want to prevent several misunderstandings from happening.

Examples:

We need to communicate clearly to avoid misunderstandings in the future.

Show examples from the web [+]

The new Waste Directive is the ideal framework to give this much-needed clarification to avoid misunderstandings.
Calls on the Committee on Petitions to notify, in writing and within a short time, its decisions relating to petitions that it considers at its meetings, so as to avoid misunderstandings and false interpretations by the mass media and petitioners;
It is important to address the construction level in the title to avoid misunderstandings.
It is necessary that there is a clear definition of the term 'inseparable' to avoid misunderstandings or various interpretations by the Member states.
In order to avoid misunderstandings the text should be clarified and the terms defined in Article 2 should be used.
The description has been changed in order to avoid misunderstandings between this Article and Article 211.
Member States shall request that the applicant verify the contents of the report of the personal interview, in order to avoid misunderstandings or contradictions or invalidation of the application at a later date.
Member States must have the applicant verify the contents of the report of the personal interview, in order to avoid misunderstandings or contradictions or invalidation of the application at a later date.
Emphasises the need to arrive at a definition of the precautionary principle in order to avoid misunderstandings and differences of interpretation; underlines that such a definition should be seen as a minimum level which national regulations can strengthen;
305 | Expertise Training | 65000 | 85000 | This Article was previously referred to as "Training". The description has been changed in order to avoid misunderstandings between this Article and Article 211. |
Let me make one thing clear first to avoid misunderstandings.
In order to avoid misunderstandings, this arrangement should also be laid down in the directive.
In order to avoid misunderstandings, if drivers cross borders, the categories thus additionally authorised should therefore not be indicated on the licence.
His Majesty speaks and understands some English, but to avoid misunderstandings, all communication will be through his translator.
It is important to stress this distinction in order to avoid misunderstandings or creating unnecessary concern while still ensuring transparency for the consumer.
Then a discreet communication with the protocol service of the other party helps to avoid misunderstandings.
This has never happened, but I agree that it is important to modify the wording to avoid misunderstandings.
However, in order to avoid misunderstandings, may I remind you that it is not up to the Commission to lay down rules for Parliament.
This truth is repeated and emphasised in the relevant motion by the European Parliament to our Mediterranean partners, in order to avoid misunderstandings or different interpretations.
I shall do this in English, as we agreed to use this language to avoid misunderstandings and translation errors.

Alternatives:

to prevent misunderstandings
to steer clear of misunderstandings
to sidestep misunderstandings
to avert misunderstandings
to dodge misunderstandings

What Our Customers Are Saying

Our customers love us! We have an average rating of 4.79 stars based on 283,125 votes.
Also check out our 2,100+ reviews on TrustPilot (4.9).

"Thank you!"
Sachi Nakama July 2024
"I have literally been through chat, PI, claude, bard and bing and I got conflicting answers! Thank you! Human intelligence reigns!"
Retha July 2024
"Faster than AI"
CYNTHIA December 2023
"This was very helpful and I personally think this site is the best."
Kaden October 2023
"It was extremely thorough and very helpful!"
imperialelisa October 2023
"7 years without any disappointment. Always 100% satisfied. You guys are the best in the world at what you do. Thank you so much :)"
Zubair Alam October 2023
"In a world of text messages and online communication, this is great to have as a live tool. Thank you."
Selena October 2023
"Without textranch I would be stuck!"
宏祐 October 2023
"Accuracy and fast response. Personal comments from editor. Thank you."
Clh September 2023
"I wasn't aware of this service, it's fascinating and more reliable than standard IA tools available on the internet"
Arturo September 2023
"The fact that you can get reliable fast feedback on your texts."
Vinicius Antonio August 2023
"you guys are better than grammarly i'm being honest here"
ordinary July 2023
"OMG! This is really good than any other text correction tools I've used so far. Highly recommend this."
Vehan July 2023
"Very fast and accurate. thank you."
mojtaba July 2023
"I love this app because it's help to writing skills all of students ♥️"
Tarisini July 2023
"This was exactly the mistake I was looking for, the wording dind´t sound right at first. Better than grammarly!"
Ente July 2023
"The immediate help that I received was reassuring and very satisfactory. Thanks."
priiiyanshuu July 2023
"this helps A LOT for my studies."
kathnunez02 June 2023
"Woow!! I would never have expected such precision! Thank you soooo much!!"
Berta June 2023
"Real Time Editor and not AI. Many Thanks."
Priya June 2023
"The very first thing excites me about Textranch is how much your editors care."
sepideh June 2023
"The fact that texts are checked by human editors rather than by AI, etc. I appreciate this!"
Анна June 2023
"Feel welcome, immediate response, high quality feedback"
martin.roy June 2023
"This is the best app that I have ever seen"
Burulai May 2023

to avoid misunderstanding vs to avoid misunderstandings