This time we're looking at the difference between 'prevent' and 'avoid'.

這次我們要來看看 prevent 和 avoid 的區別。

'Prevent' basically means 'stop'.

基本上，prevent 是「停止」的意思。

If you prevent something, you stop it from happening - often before it starts.

如果你 prevent 某件事，意思是你阻止它發生(通常是在發生前) 。

You can prevent something, prevent something from happening or prevent someone from doing something.

你可以預防某件事預防某件事發生，或是預防某人做某件事。

For example: The arrival of the police prevented crime.

例如：警方的到來預防了犯罪 。

Or: Losing my passport prevented me from flying.

或：我弄丟護照讓我無法搭上飛機。

Or: I prevented her from slapping me! Wow!

或：我事先阻止了她賞我耳光！哇！

Now 'avoid', basically means 'miss'.

而 avoid 呢，基本上是指「錯過」。

If you avoid something, you try to make it miss you.

如果你要避免某件事，你試著讓自己錯過這件事。

For example: I avoided meeting my ex.

例如：我避免遇見我的前任 。

Or: I avoided the slap easily!

或：我輕易地避開了那一巴掌！