sprečavati

1. (+ acc.) to prevent; to avert
   Redovno pranje ruku sprečava širenje infekcije. — Regular hand-washing prevents infection from spreading.
   Vakcine sprečavaju mnoge opasne bolesti. — Vaccines prevent many dangerous diseases.
2. (someone + da / u + loc.) to keep someone from doing something; to hinder; to thwart
   Buka s ulice me sprečava da spavam. — The noise from the street keeps me from sleeping.
   Niko te ne sprečava u tome. — Nobody is stopping you from doing that.

The prevented action is expressed with "da" + present or "u" + locative: sprečava me da radim / u radu.