prevent
To stop something from happening or to keep someone from doing something. In health, it means taking action to stay well and avoid getting sick or injured.
Examples
3 of 5Wash your hands to prevent a cold.
Clean your hands so you do not get a cold.
Vaccines help prevent the spread of dangerous diseases.
Medicine helps stop dangerous illnesses from moving between people.
Eat your fruit to prevent getting sick!
You should eat fruit so you stay healthy.
Word Family
Memory Tip
PRE-vent: 'Pre' means before. Stop the event before it starts!
Quick Quiz
You should wear a seatbelt to ____ injuries in a car.
Correct!
The correct answer is: prevent
Examples
Wash your hands to prevent a cold.
everydayClean your hands so you do not get a cold.
Vaccines help prevent the spread of dangerous diseases.
formalMedicine helps stop dangerous illnesses from moving between people.
Eat your fruit to prevent getting sick!
informalYou should eat fruit so you stay healthy.
The study looks at how to prevent heart problems through diet.
academicThe research shows how eating well stops heart issues.
New safety rules will prevent accidents in the office.
businessNew rules will stop people from getting hurt at work.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
prevent someone from
to stop a person from doing a specific action
prevention is better than cure
it is easier to stop a problem than to fix it after it happens
highly preventable
very easy to stop from happening
Often Confused With
To avoid is to stay away from something that already exists; to prevent is to stop something from happening at all.
To protect is to keep someone safe from danger; to prevent is to stop the danger from occurring.
Usage Notes
When you use 'prevent' with an action, always use the pattern: prevent + person + from + -ing.
Common Mistakes
Do not say 'prevent him to go'. The correct way is 'prevent him from going'.
Memory Tip
PRE-vent: 'Pre' means before. Stop the event before it starts!
Word Origin
From the Latin word 'praevenire', which literally means 'to come before'.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In many English-speaking countries, 'preventative health' (like regular check-ups) is a major focus of medical systems.
Quick Quiz
You should wear a seatbelt to ____ injuries in a car.
Correct!
The correct answer is: prevent
Related Grammar Rules
Related Vocabulary
More Health words
nose
A1The nose is the part of the face located above the mouth that you use for breathing and smelling. It contains nostrils which allow air to enter the respiratory system.
neck
A1The part of the body that connects the head to the rest of the body. It supports the weight of the head and allows it to turn and move.
chest
A1The chest is the upper front part of the human body between the neck and the stomach. It contains important organs like the heart and the lungs.
knee
A1The joint between the thigh and the lower leg in humans. It is a vital part of the body that allows the leg to bend and supports the body's weight while standing or moving.
heart
A1The organ in your chest that pumps blood through your body. It is also used to represent the center of your emotions, especially love.
cough
A1A cough is a sudden, noisy expulsion of air from the lungs that usually happens involuntarily. It is often a symptom of a cold, the flu, or an irritation in the throat.
stomachache
A1A pain in a person's stomach or the area around it. It is a common symptom often caused by eating too much, poor digestion, or a mild illness.
dizzy
A1Dizzy describes a feeling where you feel like you are spinning or losing your balance. It often happens when you are sick or if you turn around in circles very quickly.
nausea
A1Nausea is the feeling of being sick in your stomach and wanting to vomit. It often happens when you are ill, traveling in a car, or after eating bad food.
vomit
A1Vomit is the food and liquid that comes out of your stomach through your mouth when you are sick. It is the physical substance produced after throwing up.
Comments (0)
Login to CommentStart learning languages for free
Start Learning Free