Turn away from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Turn away from" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the act of rejecting or distancing oneself from something, whether it be a physical object, an idea, or a behavior. Example: "In order to grow, we must learn to turn away from negative influences in our lives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Turn away from me so I won't think of sex".

The New Yorker

Turn away from unnecessary and risky behavior.

Los Angeles Times

Turn away from trouble and harm.

Los Angeles Times

Turn away from his image.

Huffington Post

Turn away from the cave of your sleeping.

Huffington Post

Turn away from tofu because it messes with your hormones.

Huffington Post

Turn away from the camera.

WikiHow

Turn away from any light sources.

WikiHow

Turn away from others if you can.

WikiHow

Turn away from the conversation, or stop participating.

WikiHow

Turn away from the person borrowing quickly after that.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "turn away from" to signify a conscious decision to reject a course of action, viewpoint, or association. This implies a degree of intentionality.

Common error

Avoid using "turn away from" when the avoidance is unintentional or accidental. The phrase suggests a deliberate choice, so another term like "divert" or "drift away from" may be more appropriate if the action isn't conscious.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "turn away from" functions primarily as a verb of avoidance or rejection. It indicates a deliberate action to distance oneself from something, whether it is a physical object, a situation, an idea, or a person. As seen in Ludwig's examples, it is used to describe both literal and figurative turning away.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Wiki

27%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Science

9%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "turn away from" is a common and versatile expression used to indicate the act of avoiding, rejecting, or disassociating oneself from something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, from formal news reports to informal online guides. The phrase signifies a deliberate action and carries a neutral register, making it suitable for diverse forms of communication. Related phrases like "shun", "reject", and "avoid" offer similar meanings with subtle differences in connotation. When using "turn away from", ensure the context clearly defines what is being avoided and that the intentionality of the action is accurately represented.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

look away from

A more literal alternative, focusing on averting one's gaze or attention.

avoid

Suggests staying away from something to prevent an unpleasant encounter or outcome.

reject

Indicates a firm refusal to accept or consider something.

distance oneself from

Implies creating emotional or social distance.

shun

Implies deliberate avoidance or rejection, often due to moral reasons.

eschew

Formally means to deliberately avoid using something.

abstain from

Implies refraining from something, typically for health or moral reasons.

withdraw from

Suggests removing oneself or one's involvement from a situation.

recoil from

Indicates a sudden movement away from something due to fear or disgust.

disregard

Means to pay no attention to; ignore.

FAQs

How can I use "turn away from" in a sentence?

You can use "turn away from" to indicate avoiding or rejecting something. For example, "We must "turn away from" negative influences" or "She decided to "turn away from" her old habits".

What can I say instead of "turn away from"?

Alternatives to "turn away from" include "avoid", "reject", "shun", or "eschew". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "turned away from"?

Yes, "turned away from" is the past tense form of "turn away from" and is grammatically correct. For example, "He "turned away from" the temptation".

What's the difference between "turn away from" and "look away from"?

"Turn away from" implies a more decisive rejection or avoidance, while "look away from" is often more literal, referring to averting one's gaze. You might "turn away from" bad habits, but look away from a disturbing sight.