Master confusing words with ease
Preventative vs. Preventive
Preventative
/prɪˈventətɪv/Examples:
Regular exercise is a crucial preventative measure.The vaccine acts as a preventative against the flu.Reading before bed is a preventative for insomnia.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
Preventive
/prɪˈventɪv/Examples:
Vaccinations are a key part of preventive healthcare.The company deployed preventive measures against cyber threats.Preventive actions can mitigate risks in project management.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
Ways to tell them apart:
- Both words are used in the context of stopping something undesirable from happening, but differ slightly in form.
- Preventive is the shorter and more traditional form, which is more commonly used in both American and British English.
- Preventative is a longer form that some prefer, but it's less common.
- Remember that both words mean the same thing, and the choice between them is often a matter of preference.
- Use preventive if you want the shorter and more classic version of the word.
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