prevent
Definitions
To stop something from happening
预防，防止（某事发生）
To stop someone from doing something
阻止（某人做某事）
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedpre- (before) + vent (come) = "to come before." Picture getting to the doorway first and blocking it: you have come ahead of what was about to happen and stood in its way. The older neutral sense ("arrive ahead of") faded, leaving the blocking sense we use today.
Root ven still carries 84 more wordsUsage Guide
Watch the grammar of "prevent someone from doing": the from is required in modern English (prevent him from leaving, not "prevent him to leave"). You can also prevent a thing directly (prevent disease) with no from. Note prevent is fairly strong — it implies success, not mere attempting.
Example Sentences
- 1.
Washing your hands helps prevent the spread of germs.
- 2.
The heavy rain prevented us from finishing the game.
- 3.
Nothing could prevent the old bridge from collapsing.