Prevent Definition, Usage and Common Mistakes

Meaning 1：stop in advance (prevent)

prevent 🔊

/prɪˈvent/

To stop something bad from happening before it starts.

Hand stopping soccer ball from falling down stairs

stop in advance 🔊

➕

/stɑːp ɪn ədˈvæns/

To take action to keep something undesirable from happening, typically by acting proactively.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Latin 'praeventus' (prae 'before' + venire 'come'): 'come before', hence to stop.

💡 Mnemonic

PRE (before) + VENT (come) = come before to stop.

📖 Example

Getting vaccinated can help prevent many serious illnesses. 🔊 Receiving a vaccine helps stop many serious diseases from occurring.

🔗 Collocations

prevent disease – stop illness from happening

prevent accidents – avoid mishaps

prevent damage – avert harm

🔄 Synonyms

hinder (v.) – to make it difficult for something to happen

obstruct (v.) – to block or impede progress

forestall (v.) – to act in advance to prevent something

🚫 Antonyms

allow (v.) – to let something happen

permit (v.) – to give consent for something to occur

encourage (v.) – to promote or support an action

🌱 Derivatives

prevention (n.) – the act of stopping something from happening

preventive (adj.) – intended to stop something from happening

preventable (adj.) – able to be stopped before happening

📖 Cultural Story

'Prevent' originates from Latin 'praevenire' (to come before). In ancient Rome, it meant to anticipate or forestall. Today, it's widely used in healthcare and safety contexts, like disease prevention.