Cool MateAvoid vs Don't want any part of them
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Avoid
Top 1,000 (very common)A2verb
Don't want any part of them
InformalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Most formal: AvoidMost common: Avoid
| Avoid | Don't want any part of them | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //əˈvɔɪd//🇺🇸 //əˈvɔɪd// | 🇬🇧 //dəʊnt wɑːnt ˈɛni pɑːt əv ðɛm//🇺🇸 //doʊnt wɑnt ˈɛni pɑrt əv ðɛm// |
| Meaning | Stay away from something | want to stay away from them |
| Example | It's best to avoid fast food for better health. | I really don't want any part of them. |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | avoid contact, avoid trouble, avoid mistakes | want any part, don't want part, part of group |
| Antonyms | confront, face | want to join, embrace |
| Common mistakes | Confusing 'avoid' with 'prevent'; 'avoid' means not doing, while 'prevent' means stopping something from happening., Using 'avoid' without an object; always specify what you're avoiding., Misplacing 'avoid' in a sentence, leading to awkward phrasing. | Confused with 'don't want to be part of them', Using in formal situations, Omitting 'don't want' sometimes |
| Usage notes | Use 'avoid' when you want to not do something. It's neutral and fits in most contexts, but might sound too formal in casual conversations. | Use this phrase to express strong dislike or rejection of someone or a group. It's informal and may not be suitable for serious contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Avoid vs Don't want any part of them
What's the difference between Avoid and Don't want any part of them?
Avoid: Stay away from something Don't want any part of them: want to stay away from them
Which is more formal: Avoid and Don't want any part of them?
Avoid is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Avoid and Don't want any part of them?
Avoid is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Avoid: It's best to avoid fast food for better health. Don't want any part of them: I really don't want any part of them.
Can I use Avoid and Don't want any part of them interchangeably?
Not always. Avoid and Don't want any part of them are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.