away from doing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "away from doing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a movement or shift away from a particular action or activity. Example: "She decided to step away from doing too much overtime to focus on her health."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You get away from doing the little things".

The New York Times - Sports

"And I will not shy away from doing that".

The New York Times

Maybe we're about 10 years away from doing that".

The Guardian

They're moving away from doing stuff to shuffling paper around.

The Guardian

Spurs should have retaken the lead before half-time and were centimetres away from doing so.

The Guardian - Sport

Now a month away from doing just that, Garrett is in a springtime no man's land.

The New York Times - Sports

Now he is even further away from doing so than when he took office.

The Economist

"He told me he was one call away from doing it himself," she said.

The New York Times - Magazine

It takes you away from doing the dishes and the laundry.

The Guardian - Books

But I shy away from doing anything like that because I'm scared of novelty.

The New York Times - Magazine

"It's really proof that advertisers are shying away from doing business with the company".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "away from doing" to clearly indicate a shift or movement away from a specific action or activity. This phrasing is effective when describing changes in habits, strategies, or preferences.

Common error

Avoid using "away from doing" when you simply mean to stop or cease an activity. "Away from doing" implies a broader shift in direction or focus, not just a termination. For example, prefer "stopped working" over "moved away from doing work" if the context is simply stopping and not changing profession or priorities.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "away from doing" functions as a prepositional phrase acting as an adverbial modifier. It indicates a direction or movement of avoiding, rejecting, or stepping back from a specific action. Ludwig's examples show this usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "away from doing" is a versatile prepositional phrase that indicates a shift or movement away from a particular action. As Ludwig's analysis shows, it's widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media, to express avoidance, deviation, or distancing from an activity. Although the phrase is grammatically correct and highly usable, it's essential to understand its specific nuance, as it implies a broader change rather than a simple cessation. When writing, it is important to consider options like "avoiding doing" or "refraining from doing" to convey a more precise intention.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

moving away from doing

Highlights a shift or transition away from an activity or practice.

shying away from doing

Emphasizes reluctance or hesitancy in approaching a particular action.

backing away from doing

Suggests a retreat or withdrawal from a commitment or intention to act.

avoiding doing

Focuses on the act of consciously preventing oneself from performing an action.

distancing oneself from doing

Emphasizes the act of creating emotional or physical separation from an activity.

refraining from doing

Implies a deliberate act of holding back from performing an action, often due to rules or principles.

turning away from doing

Indicates a deliberate rejection or abandonment of an action or lifestyle.

abstaining from doing

Suggests a voluntary act of not engaging in a particular activity, often for moral or health reasons.

departing from doing

Indicates a formal or significant deviation from a usual or expected course of action.

desisting from doing

Implies a cessation of an activity, often one that was previously ongoing.

FAQs

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

The phrase "away from doing" indicates a movement or shift from a particular action. For example, "The company is moving "away from doing" business with fossil fuels" shows a change in business practices.

What are some alternatives to "away from doing"?

You can use alternatives such as "avoiding doing", "refraining from doing", or "shying away from doing" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "far away from doing"?

Yes, it is correct. "Far away from doing" emphasizes the distance, either literally or figuratively, from performing a particular action. For instance, "The project is still far "away from doing" what it promised".

What's the difference between "moving away from doing" and simply "stopping doing"?

"Moving "away from doing"" suggests a gradual or intentional shift, while "stopping doing" implies a more abrupt cessation. The first indicates a change in direction or strategy, while the second simply means ending an action.