What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
dissuaded
Example
I tried to dissuade him from quitting his job, but he didn't listen. [dissuade: verb]
Example
She was dissuaded from pursuing a career in acting by her parents. [dissuaded: past participle]
prevent
Example
We need to prevent the spread of the virus by wearing masks and social distancing. [prevent: verb]
Example
The security measures in place prevented the theft of valuable artwork. [prevented: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Prevent is more commonly used than dissuaded in everyday language. Prevent is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while dissuaded is less common and refers to a specific type of persuasion.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between dissuaded and prevent?
Prevent is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, while dissuaded is typically associated with a more formal tone due to its specific meaning and usage.