prevent
gb/pɹɪvˈɛnt/ us/pɹɪvˈɛnt/
B1
English
~ 1000
megelőz, megakadályoz
VERB
B1
1
megelőz
B1
megakadályoz
B2
Usage pattern:
to prevent [something] from [verb+ing]
The new rules are designed to prevent accidents at work.
Az új szabályok célja, hogy megelőzzék a munkahelyi baleseteket.
Vaccines help prevent the spread of disease.
A védőoltások segítenek megelőzni a betegségek terjedését.
Better security measures can prevent theft.
She spoke quickly to prevent him from interrupting.
Wearing a helmet can prevent serious injury.
Learner examples
I lock the door to prevent theft.
Bezárom az ajtót, hogy megelőzzem a lopást.
The doctor gave me medicine to prevent illness.
Az orvos gyógyszert adott, hogy megelőzze a betegséget.
We left early to prevent being late.
He works hard to prevent mistakes.
They put up a fence to prevent animals from entering.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'prevent' with 'avoid'. 'Prevent' means to stop something from happening, while 'avoid' means to stay away from something yourself.
Meaning
Stop something from happening
Collocations
prevent crime
|prevent damage
|prevent disease
|prevent accidents
|prevent spread
Synonyms
stop (More general; may also refer to stopping something already in progress.)
|
avert (More formal; often used for avoiding danger or disaster.)
Antonyms
allow (To let something happen without stopping it.)
|
cause (To make something happen rather than stopping it.)
Themes
safety
|law
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To stop something before it happens.
To keep something from occurring, especially by taking action beforehand.
Grammar
Dictionary form
prevent
IPA
GB/pɹɪvˈɛnt/
US/pɹɪvˈɛnt/
Syllables & stress
pre - vent (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (vent)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: prevent
- 3rd Person Singular: prevents
- Present Participle: preventing
- Past: prevented
Word family
Forms
prevents
verb
preventing
verb
prevented
verb
Core family
Related words
preventative
adjective
Negative and opposite forms
unpreventable
adjective
Advanced or less common
preventability
noun
preventively
adverb
Expressions
prevent from
1/pɹɪvˈɛnt fɹˈʌm/
fixed phrase
Stop someone/something doing something
To stop someone or something from doing a certain action.
Examples
- Heavy rain prevented us from playing football.
- The guard prevented the man from entering the building.