to prevent
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to prevent
To make sure that something planned, expected, or feared does not happen.
Durch schnelles Handeln konnte die Feuerwehr eine Katastrophe verhindern.
By acting quickly, the fire department was able to prevent a catastrophe.
'Verhindern' (to prevent) is an inseparable verb. The prefix 'ver-' remains firmly attached to the stem 'hindern' in all tenses and sentence types.
Ein Anruf hat verhindert, dass ich pünktlich war.
A phone call prevented me from being on time.
After 'verhindern' (to prevent), either a noun in the accusative or a subordinate clause with 'dass' (that) is used. Both structures are very common for expressing what should not happen.
Die Polizei verhinderte eine Eskalation.
The police prevented an escalation.
'Verhindern' (to prevent) is often used in contexts where something negative is averted. Typical combinations are 'das Schlimmste verhindern' (to prevent the worst), 'einen Unfall verhindern' (to prevent an accident), or 'ein Verbrechen verhindern' (to prevent a crime).
Der schnelle Einsatz der Ärzte konnte das Schlimmste verhindern.
The doctors' quick response was able to prevent the worst.
to forbid
'verhindern' and 'verbieten' both have to do with something not happening or not being done. The difference is in how that happens: 'verbieten' means that a rule, a law, or a person says: This is not allowed. 'verhindern' means that you make sure something really does not happen, for example through action or through external circumstances. You can forbid something but still not prevent it. Learners can easily confuse the words because both may be connected to 'not being allowed to' or 'not happening'. In practical terms: a rule forbids something; an action or situation prevents something.
Die schnelle Reaktion der Nachbarin verhindert einen größeren Schaden.
The neighbor's quick reaction prevents greater damage.
Der Lehrer verbietet den Kindern, im Flur zu rennen.
The teacher forbids the children to run in the hallway.