astray

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'astray' is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adverb that means to be lost, to move away from the intended direction, or to lead someone away from the correct or accepted path. Example sentence: The child wandered astray in the unfamiliar neighborhood.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Books

Education

Music

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Turmoil erupted in Ukip after Patrick O'Flynn, the party's campaign director, gave an interview saying Farage had been led astray by an inner circle of advisers, which had made him become "snarling, thin-skinned and aggressive".

The Guardian

It isn't immune to going astray – it was once lost on the way to Acapulco.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Time to quickly select Andy Fairweather-Low's Wide Eyed And Legless to prompt his memory and spark his conscience: he needs to be in a position to grant mercy to poor innocents led astray by "God's grain".

The Guardian - Music

Pre-election polls predicted results in Scotland, but went astray in England.

The Guardian

With more power than most players, she dictates rallies and though her radar can go astray from time to time, when it is set right, she is nigh unbeatable, especially on grass.

The Guardian - Sport

Facebook Twitter Google plus Share Share this post Facebook Twitter Google plus close 11.34am BST11 34 9th over: Australia 63-2 Perryy 4, Lanning 31) Gunn continues, but her line is a little astray and a couple of easy singles are given away on the leg side.

The Guardian - Sport

"If there were going to be allegations as to whether community money had gone astray and been misappropriated, then the appropriate time to look at that is after the AFP has done what it is going to do," Reid said.

The Guardian - Sport

But look again: it is the manmade world – a lantern and a wooden bridge – which lead Lucy astray.

The Guardian - Books

Leaving aside the fact that printing them out seems a tragic waste of paper (and makes me suspicious that a few might go astray – say, to the bin), the more pressing concern is that reading them all will be a mammoth task.

The Guardian

But as pre-chairmanship policy statements go, that's considerably less radical than those made by, oh, Ben Bernanke.Where I think Mr Krugman really goes astray, however, is in arguing that regime change takes regime change, as in new bodies in key positions.

The Economist

Those worms whose cells had gone astray glowed in the wrong places.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "astray" to describe a deviation from a correct path, both literally and figuratively. For example, "The child wandered astray in the woods," or "His ambition led him astray from his moral principles."

Common error

Don't confuse "astray", meaning off course, with "astride", meaning with one leg on each side of something. Ensure your word choice reflects your intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "astray" functions to modify verbs, indicating a state of deviation or wandering from a designated path or correct behavior. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in contexts ranging from physical displacement to moral digression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Reference

10%

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "astray" functions as an adverb denoting deviation from a correct path or intended course, as confirmed by Ludwig. Its usage spans across diverse contexts, most commonly in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings. Ludwig AI analysis identifies its primary function as modifying verbs to indicate a state of wandering or deviation. This analysis, combined with guidance on best practices and common errors, equips writers with a nuanced understanding of how to effectively and correctly incorporate "astray" into their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

astray

Indicates a wandering or deviation, often morally or spiritually.

lost

Emphasizes the state of being unable to find the correct way or path.

off course

Focuses more on the deviation from a planned route or direction.

off track

Similar to "off course" but can also refer to progress or goals.

gone wrong

Implies a negative outcome or failure resulting from the deviation.

misled

Suggests being deceived or guided in the wrong direction by someone else.

wayward

Describes someone who is disobedient or difficult to control.

deviated

A more formal term for departing from an established course or standard.

gone amiss

Indicates something has gone awry or not as planned.

off the rails

Suggests a situation or person has become out of control or chaotic.

FAQs

How can I use "astray" in a sentence?

You can use "astray" to indicate a deviation from a correct path, as in, "The package went astray in the mail," or to describe a moral deviation, such as, "He was led astray by bad influences."

What is a good alternative to "astray"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "off course", "lost", or "misled".

Is it correct to say "gone astray"?

Yes, "gone astray" is a common and correct usage of the word "astray", often used to describe something that has been lost or has deviated from its intended path.

What's the difference between "astray" and "astride"?

"Astray" means to deviate from the correct path, while "astride" means to sit with one leg on either side. For example, "The letter went astray" versus "He sat astride the horse".