When it comes to discouraging someone from doing something, two words that are often used interchangeably are dissuade and deter. However, there is a subtle difference between the two.
Dissuade means to persuade someone not to do something. It involves convincing them that the action is not in their best interest. Deter, on the other hand, means to discourage someone from doing something by making them fear the consequences of their actions.
While the two words are similar in meaning, they have different implications. Dissuade implies that the person being discouraged has the power to make their own decision. Deter, on the other hand, implies that the person being discouraged is being forced to reconsider their actions due to the fear of negative consequences.
In this article, we will explore the differences between dissuade and deter in more detail and provide examples of how to use each word correctly.
Define Dissuade
Dissuade is a verb that means to persuade someone not to do something. It involves convincing someone to change their mind or decision about a particular action. The goal of dissuasion is to prevent someone from taking a particular course of action that may be harmful, dangerous, or simply undesirable.
For example, a concerned friend may try to dissuade another friend from smoking by highlighting the negative health consequences associated with the habit. A teacher may try to dissuade a student from dropping out of school by emphasizing the importance of education and the potential negative impact on their future prospects.
Dissuasion can be accomplished through various means, such as logical arguments, emotional appeals, or presenting alternative options. The effectiveness of dissuasion depends on the persuasiveness of the arguments presented and the willingness of the person to change their mind.
Define Deter
Deter is a verb that means to prevent or discourage someone from taking a particular course of action. Unlike dissuade, deterrence involves creating a sense of fear or apprehension in the person to prevent them from acting in a certain way.
For example, the threat of punishment may deter someone from committing a crime. The presence of security cameras or guards may deter someone from stealing from a store. The fear of negative consequences may deter someone from engaging in risky behavior.
Deterrence can be achieved through various means, such as increasing the likelihood of getting caught, increasing the severity of punishment, or creating a sense of moral or ethical obligation. The effectiveness of deterrence depends on the perceived risk of getting caught or facing negative consequences.
| Dissuade | Deter |
|---|---|
| Persuade someone not to do something | Prevent or discourage someone from taking a particular course of action |
| Convince someone to change their mind or decision | Create a sense of fear or apprehension |
| Present logical arguments, emotional appeals, or alternative options | Increase the likelihood of getting caught, increase the severity of punishment, or create a sense of moral or ethical obligation |
How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence
When it comes to writing, choosing the right words can make all the difference. Two words that are often used interchangeably but have different meanings are dissuade and deter. Understanding the difference between these two words can help you communicate your thoughts more effectively. Here is how to use dissuade and deter in a sentence.
How To Use Dissuade In A Sentence
Dissuade means to persuade someone not to do something. It is often used when trying to convince someone not to take a particular course of action. Here are a few examples:
- My parents tried to dissuade me from quitting my job without having another one lined up.
- The doctor tried to dissuade the patient from smoking by explaining the health risks.
- The teacher tried to dissuade the students from cheating on the exam by reminding them of the consequences.
As you can see, dissuade is used when someone is trying to change someone else’s mind or behavior.
How To Use Deter In A Sentence
Deter means to discourage someone from doing something by making them fear the consequences. It is often used when trying to prevent someone from taking a particular course of action. Here are a few examples:
- The presence of security cameras is meant to deter thieves from stealing from the store.
- The harsh prison sentences are meant to deter people from committing crimes.
- The warning label on the cigarette package is meant to deter people from smoking.
As you can see, deter is used when someone is trying to prevent someone else from taking a particular course of action by making them fear the consequences.
By understanding the difference between dissuade and deter, you can choose the right word to communicate your thoughts more effectively.
More Examples Of Dissuade & Deter Used In Sentences
In order to better understand the difference between dissuade and deter, it’s helpful to see them used in context. Below are examples of both words used in sentences.
Examples Of Using Dissuade In A Sentence:
- The teacher tried to dissuade the student from dropping out of school.
- His parents hoped to dissuade him from pursuing a career in acting.
- The warning signs were meant to dissuade people from entering the dangerous area.
- She tried to dissuade her friend from getting a tattoo that she might regret later.
- The high cost of the project dissuaded the company from pursuing it further.
- The negative reviews dissuaded me from trying the new restaurant.
- He was unable to dissuade his brother from making a risky investment.
- The lawyer attempted to dissuade his client from taking a plea deal.
- She hoped to dissuade her daughter from marrying someone she didn’t approve of.
- His fear of failure dissuaded him from taking on the new project.
Examples Of Using Deter In A Sentence:
- The police hoped that increasing patrols would deter crime in the area.
- The high price of the product deterred many potential buyers.
- The threat of punishment is meant to deter people from committing crimes.
- The bad weather deterred us from going on a hike.
- The lack of funding deterred the organization from pursuing the project.
- The fear of failure deterred her from taking risks in her career.
- The presence of security cameras is meant to deter shoplifting.
- The warning label on the medication is meant to deter misuse.
- The harsh criticism deterred him from sharing his writing with others.
- The long commute deterred her from accepting the job offer.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
When it comes to using the words dissuade and deter interchangeably, there are several common mistakes that people make. Here are some of the most frequent errors to avoid:
Using Dissuade And Deter As Synonyms
One common mistake is to use dissuade and deter as synonyms, but these two words have different meanings. Dissuade means to persuade someone not to do something, while deter means to prevent someone from doing something by making them fear the consequences. For example, you can dissuade someone from smoking by explaining the health risks, but you can deter them by threatening to report them to their parents or the police.
Confusing The Objects Of Dissuade And Deter
Another mistake is to confuse the objects of dissuade and deter. Dissuade takes an object in the infinitive form (e.g. to smoke), while deter takes an object in the gerund form (e.g. smoking). Therefore, you should say “I dissuaded him from smoking” and “I deterred him from smoking,” not “I dissuaded him from smoking” or “I deterred him to smoke.”
Mixing Up The Prepositions With Dissuade And Deter
Finally, people often mix up the prepositions that go with dissuade and deter. Dissuade is followed by from, while deter is followed by from or by. For example, you can say “I dissuaded him from smoking” or “I deterred him from smoking,” but not “I dissuaded him to smoke” or “I deterred him with smoking.”
Tips For Avoiding These Mistakes
- Remember the difference between dissuade and deter: dissuade means to persuade someone not to do something, while deter means to prevent someone from doing something by making them fear the consequences.
- Use the correct object form: use the infinitive form with dissuade and the gerund form with deter.
- Pay attention to the prepositions: dissuade is followed by from, while deter is followed by from or by.
Context Matters
When it comes to choosing between the words “dissuade” and “deter,” context plays a crucial role in determining which one to use. While both words convey the idea of preventing something from happening, they differ in the methods used to achieve this goal. Understanding the context in which these words are used can help to clarify which one is more appropriate.
Examples Of Different Contexts
Here are some examples of different contexts and how the choice between “dissuade” and “deter” might change:
1. Personal Relationships
In personal relationships, the choice between “dissuade” and “deter” might depend on the nature of the relationship. For example, if a friend is considering a dangerous activity, you might try to dissuade them by explaining the risks and consequences. On the other hand, if you are dealing with a more serious situation, such as domestic violence, you might need to take steps to deter the abuser from continuing their behavior.
2. Business and Law
In the context of business and law, the choice between “dissuade” and “deter” might depend on the desired outcome. For instance, if a company wants to discourage employees from engaging in unethical behavior, they might use a code of conduct to dissuade them. However, if the company is dealing with a more serious issue, such as embezzlement, they might use legal action to deter future occurrences.
3. Military and Politics
In the context of military and politics, the choice between “dissuade” and “deter” might depend on the level of threat and the desired outcome. For example, if a country wants to prevent another country from developing nuclear weapons, they might try to dissuade them through diplomacy and sanctions. However, if the threat is more immediate and severe, such as a military attack, they might need to use military force to deter the aggressor.
Overall, the choice between “dissuade” and “deter” depends on the specific context in which they are used. By understanding the nuances of each word and the situation at hand, you can choose the most appropriate term to convey your intended meaning.
Exceptions To The Rules
While the rules for using dissuade and deter are generally straightforward, there are some exceptions that should be noted. In certain situations, using one word over the other may not be as clear-cut as usual.
Exceptions For Using Dissuade
One exception for using dissuade is when the person or group being discouraged is not the intended target. For example, a company may try to dissuade customers from buying from a competitor by offering a better product or service. However, if the competitor is not the target audience, then the company is not technically dissuading them. Another exception for using dissuade is when the person or group being discouraged is not the primary decision-maker. For instance, a parent may try to dissuade their child from pursuing a career in the arts, but ultimately the child has the final say.
Exceptions For Using Deter
One exception for using deter is when the threat is not credible. For example, if a company posts a sign saying that their premises are protected by a security system, but in reality, they do not have one, then the sign is not deterring potential criminals. Another exception for using deter is when the person or group being discouraged is not capable of carrying out the action. For instance, a person may try to deter their friend from skydiving, but if the friend is an experienced skydiver, then the deterrence may not be effective.
| Exceptions for Using Dissuade | Exceptions for Using Deter |
|---|---|
| Person/group being discouraged is not the intended target | Threat is not credible |
| Person/group being discouraged is not the primary decision-maker | Person/group being discouraged is not capable of carrying out the action |
Practice Exercises
Mastering the proper use of dissuade and deter can be challenging, but practice exercises can help improve your understanding and usage of these two words. Here are a few exercises to get you started:
Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank
Choose the correct word (dissuade or deter) to fill in the blank in the following sentences:
- The high cost of the product may _____ customers from making a purchase.
- The police hope that increased patrols will _____ criminals from committing more crimes in the area.
- Despite her parents’ efforts to _____ her, she still decided to drop out of college.
- The warning signs are meant to _____ hikers from entering the dangerous area.
Answer Key:
- dissuade
- deter
- dissuade
- deter
Exercise 2: Sentence Completion
Complete the following sentences with the correct form of dissuade or deter:
- It’s important to _____ people from engaging in risky behaviors.
- The company’s strict policies _____ employees from breaking the rules.
- Her lack of experience _____ her from applying for the job.
- The threat of punishment can sometimes _____ people from committing crimes.
Answer Key:
- dissuade
- deter
- dissuaded
- deter
By practicing these exercises, you can improve your understanding and usage of dissuade and deter in your writing and conversations.
Conclusion
After exploring the nuances between dissuade and deter, it is clear that these two words have distinct meanings and should not be used interchangeably. To summarize:
Dissuade
- Means to persuade someone not to do something
- Focuses on convincing someone to change their mind or behavior
- Often involves presenting arguments or evidence to dissuade someone from taking a certain action
Deter
- Means to prevent or discourage someone from doing something
- Focuses on creating a sense of fear or hesitation in someone
- Often involves using threats or warnings to deter someone from taking a certain action
It is crucial to use these words correctly in order to effectively communicate your intended meaning. By understanding the differences between dissuade and deter, you can ensure that your writing is clear and concise.
Grammar and language use can be complex, but by continuing to learn and improve, you can become a more effective communicator. Keep exploring the intricacies of language and expanding your vocabulary to enhance your writing skills.
Shawn Manaher is the founder and CEO of The Content Authority. He’s one part content manager, one part writing ninja organizer, and two parts leader of top content creators. You don’t even want to know what he calls pancakes.