Grammar fix
deter someone
discourage someone formally
To make someone less likely to do something by making it seem risky, difficult, or unpleasant.
expression
How oftenCommon
LevelC1
Used inSpeech & writing
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
The high cost of childcare may deter some parents from returning to work.
The freezing water didn't deter us. My cousins and I still went swimming on New Year's Day, like we do every year.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: High prices deter people to travel.
Say: High prices deter people from travelling.
Use 'deter someone from doing something', not 'deter someone to do something'.
Don't confuse it
Other ways to say it
Make someone not want to do something
How formalCasualMore formal
turn someone offSomething makes you dislike it: a smell, an attitude, a style.put offMaking someone lose interest or feel unwilling to proceed.
deter someoneYou're here · More formal: risk or cost stops someone acting.