Avert vs Divert: Which One Is The Correct One?

Have you ever been confused about when to use avert and when to use divert? These two words are often used interchangeably, but they actually have different meanings. In this article, we will explore the differences between avert and divert, and when to use each one.

Let’s define these two words. Avert means to prevent something bad from happening or to turn something away. Divert means to change the direction or use of something.

So, which one is the proper word to use? It depends on the context. If you want to prevent something bad from happening, you would use avert. If you want to change the direction or use of something, you would use divert.

Now that we have a better understanding of the meanings of these two words, let’s dive deeper into when to use each one.

Define Avert

Avert is a verb that means to prevent something undesirable from happening. It is often used in the context of avoiding a dangerous or harmful situation. Averting can be done through proactive measures or by taking action to mitigate the effects of a potential threat. For example, a driver can avert an accident by paying close attention to the road and avoiding distractions.

Define Divert

Divert is a verb that means to redirect something from its original course or destination. It is often used in the context of changing the direction of something physical, such as a river or traffic. Diverting can also refer to changing the focus or purpose of something, such as diverting resources from one project to another. For example, a construction crew may divert traffic from a busy road to a detour during roadwork.

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

Using the words avert and divert correctly can be a challenge for many people. Both words can be used to describe actions that prevent something from happening, but they are not interchangeable. In this section, we will discuss how to use avert and divert in a sentence.

How To Use Avert In A Sentence

The word avert is often used to describe actions that prevent a negative outcome or a dangerous situation. Here are some examples of how to use avert in a sentence:

• She was able to avert a disaster by acting quickly.
• The police were able to avert a potential riot by using non-violent tactics.
• He tried to avert his gaze from the accident on the side of the road.

As you can see from these examples, avert is used to describe actions that prevent something from happening. It can be used in both literal and figurative contexts.

How To Use Divert In A Sentence

The word divert is also used to describe actions that prevent something from happening, but it is often used in a different context than avert. Divert is often used to describe actions that redirect something or someone away from a particular path or course of action. Here are some examples of how to use divert in a sentence:

• The construction crew had to divert traffic to a different route.
• She tried to divert the conversation away from her personal life.
• The company had to divert resources to a different project.

As you can see from these examples, divert is used to describe actions that redirect something or someone away from a particular path or course of action. It can be used in both literal and figurative contexts.

More Examples Of Avert & Divert Used In Sentences

In order to fully understand the difference between avert and divert, it’s important to see them used in context. Below are some examples of each word being used in a sentence.

Examples Of Using Avert In A Sentence

• The quick thinking of the pilot helped avert a disaster.
• He tried to avert his gaze, but couldn’t look away.
• The security guard was able to avert the theft.
• The company took steps to avert a financial crisis.
• The mayor’s speech helped avert a riot.
• She hoped her apology would avert a fight.
• The medication helped avert a migraine.
• Their quick action was able to avert a major accident.
• Their efforts were successful in averting a crisis.
• The team worked hard to avert defeat.

Examples Of Using Divert In A Sentence

• The road was closed, so they had to divert traffic to another route.
• The comedian was able to divert attention away from the controversy.
• The company decided to divert resources to a new project.
• The magician used misdirection to divert the audience’s attention.
• The charity aims to divert food waste to those in need.
• The diversion of funds was illegal.
• The diversion of the river caused flooding downstream.
• She tried to divert the conversation away from her personal life.
• The coach used a new strategy to divert the opponent’s attack.
• The suspect attempted to divert suspicion away from himself.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to using the words avert and divert, people often make the mistake of using them interchangeably. However, these two words have distinct meanings that should not be confused. Here are some common mistakes people make when using avert and divert interchangeably:

Using Avert When Divert Is Appropriate

One common mistake is using avert when the situation calls for divert. Avert means to prevent something bad from happening, while divert means to change the direction of something. For example:

• Incorrect: The police officer tried to avert the traffic from the accident site.
• Correct: The police officer tried to divert the traffic from the accident site.

Using Divert When Avert Is Appropriate

Conversely, another common mistake is using divert when avert is appropriate. Avert means to prevent something bad from happening, while divert means to change the direction of something. For example:

• Incorrect: The doctor tried to divert the patient’s attention from the pain.
• Correct: The doctor tried to avert the patient’s pain.

Offering Tips To Avoid Confusing Avert And Divert

To avoid making these mistakes, it is important to understand the meanings of avert and divert. Here are some tips to help you differentiate between the two:

Avert	Divert
Prevent something bad from happening	Change the direction of something
Used with negative outcomes	Used with neutral outcomes
Examples: avert disaster, avert a crisis	Examples: divert traffic, divert attention

By keeping these tips in mind, you can avoid confusing avert and divert and use them correctly in your writing and speech.

Context Matters

When it comes to choosing between the words avert and divert, context is key. Both words have similar meanings, but the subtle differences in their connotations can make a big impact on the overall meaning of a sentence. Understanding the context in which these words are used is essential to using them correctly and effectively.

Examples Of Different Contexts

Let’s take a closer look at some different contexts and how the choice between avert and divert might change:

Context	Example Sentence	Correct Word Choice
Disaster Response	The emergency team worked quickly to _______ the floodwaters away from the town.	Divert
Prevention	He took steps to _______ a potential crisis before it could happen.	Avert
Attention	The comedian tried to _______ attention away from his controversial comments.	Divert
Danger	The driver swerved to _______ an accident.	Avert

As you can see, the choice between avert and divert can depend on the specific context in which they are used. In general, avert is used when referring to preventing or avoiding something negative, while divert is used when referring to redirecting something away from its original course or purpose.

By understanding the nuances of these two words, you can choose the correct one for your specific context and convey your message with clarity and precision.

Exceptions To The Rules

While the rules for using avert and divert are generally straightforward, there are some exceptions to consider. Below are some scenarios where the rules might not apply:

1. Avert Can Be Used To Mean “To Prevent” In Certain Contexts

Although avert is typically used to mean “to turn away,” it can also be used to mean “to prevent” in certain contexts. For example:

• “The new security measures will avert any potential threats.”
• “He took action to avert a crisis.”

In these cases, avert is being used to describe actions taken to prevent something from happening, rather than to physically turn something away.

2. Divert Can Be Used In A Figurative Sense

While divert is usually used to describe physically redirecting something, it can also be used in a figurative sense to describe redirecting attention or focus. For example:

• “She tried to divert the conversation away from the controversial topic.”
• “The comedian’s jokes were meant to divert attention from the political issues at hand.”

In these cases, divert is being used to describe the act of redirecting attention or focus, rather than physically redirecting something.

3. Regional And Cultural Differences May Affect Usage

It’s worth noting that regional and cultural differences can affect the usage of avert and divert. For example, in British English, avert is often used to mean “to prevent,” while in American English, the word prevent is more commonly used. Additionally, certain cultures may have different connotations or associations with the words avert and divert, which could affect their usage in specific contexts.

Ultimately, while there are some exceptions to the rules for using avert and divert, these instances are relatively rare. In most cases, following the standard definitions and usage guidelines will ensure clear and effective communication.

Practice Exercises

One of the best ways to improve your understanding and use of avert and divert is through practice exercises. Here are a few exercises to help you get started:

Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank

Choose the correct word (avert or divert) to fill in the blank in each sentence below:

1. The lifeguard was able to _______ the swimmer from drowning.
2. The comedian tried to _______ attention away from his controversial joke.
3. The pilot was able to _______ the plane from crashing.
4. The police officer tried to _______ traffic away from the accident.
5. The teacher was able to _______ the student’s attention back to the lesson.

Answer Key:

1. avert
2. divert
3. avert
4. divert
5. divert

Exercise 2: Identify The Correct Word

Read each sentence below and identify whether the correct word to use is avert or divert:

Sentence	Correct Word
The magician tried to _______ the audience’s attention with a trick.	divert
The doctor was able to _______ a potential heart attack with medication.	avert
The construction crew tried to _______ traffic away from the work zone.	divert
The security guard was able to _______ a theft from occurring.	avert

Explanation: In sentence 1, the correct word is divert because the magician is trying to redirect the audience’s attention. In sentence 2, the correct word is avert because the doctor is trying to prevent a heart attack. In sentence 3, the correct word is divert because the construction crew is trying to redirect traffic. In sentence 4, the correct word is avert because the security guard is trying to prevent a theft.

By practicing with exercises like these, you can improve your understanding and use of avert and divert in everyday language.

Conclusion

In conclusion, understanding the difference between avert and divert is crucial for effective communication and clear writing. Here are the key takeaways from this article:

Avert:

• Avert means to prevent something bad from happening.
• The word is often used in the context of danger, disaster, or harm.
• Examples: “She averted her eyes from the gruesome scene,” “The government took measures to avert an economic crisis.”

Divert:

• Divert means to redirect something from its original course or destination.
• The word is often used in the context of attention, resources, or traffic.
• Examples: “He tried to divert the conversation to a less controversial topic,” “The construction work diverted the traffic.”

By using these words correctly, you can avoid confusion and miscommunication in your writing and speech. It’s important to continue learning about grammar and language use to improve your communication skills. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or a language enthusiast, there’s always more to learn.