What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
preempting
Example
The company preempted the competition by releasing their product earlier. [preempted: past tense]
Example
The government preemptively evacuated the area before the hurricane hit. [preemptively: adverb]
averting
Example
The doctor averted a heart attack by prescribing medication. [averted: past tense]
Example
The police averted a potential terrorist attack by arresting the suspect. [averted: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Averting is more commonly used than preempting in everyday language. Averting is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while preempting is less common and often used in specific contexts, such as military or legal.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between preempting and averting?
Preempting is often associated with a formal or technical tone, while averting can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
