bent away

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bent away" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has been physically or metaphorically turned or angled away from a certain direction or position. Example: "The tree's branches were bent away from the strong winds, creating a unique shape."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

As previously mentioned, in this case light rays are bent away from the normal of the interface between the media.

Encyclopedia Britannica

For those who are less geometrically minded, this means that if the light ray is bent away from the boundary, the refractive index is larger than one.

The Economist

Blades bent away from the viewer capture more light and appear relatively pale; when the tips are bent toward the viewer, the grass looks darker.

The New York Times - Sports

He worked from the stretch, paused to look at the ground, looked up for the sign and threw a curveball that bent away from Boone.

The New York Times - Sports

The refractive index of X-rays is slightly less than 1.0, which means that an X-ray entering a piece of glass from air will be bent away from the normal, unlike a ray of light, which will be bent toward the normal.

Britannica

What I do remember was this: she had her right arm down by her side, and when she caught me looking in her general direction she inconspicuously made the smoking gesture you know, the first two fingers extended and slightly parted, the other fingers and the thumb bent away out of sight.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Escapism by its nature must bend away from reality.

The New York Times

As it warms up, the cantilever bends away until it touches a heat sink.

MIT Technology Review

I remember when he hit Jim Ray Hart on the shoulder — he was bending away from a pitch — and broke his collarbone.

The New Yorker

But when his courtiers address him more spontaneously, this Richard instinctively bends away, stiffly, for this is not a man made for bending.

The New York Times

But even if public sentiment and electoral math on immigration might be bending away from his principles, Mr. Kobach is not budging.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing light or other forms of energy, use "bent away" to illustrate how they change direction when transitioning between mediums with different refractive indexes.

Common error

Avoid using "bent away" solely to describe physical bending of objects; instead, consider words like "curved", "angled", or "contorted" if no refractive principles are involved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bent away" functions primarily as a phrasal verb, often describing a change in direction, either physically or metaphorically. As shown by Ludwig, this phrase is suitable for describing both tangible objects and abstract concepts like light refraction.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bent away" is a phrasal verb that effectively describes a deviation or turning from a specific direction or point. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and appears across various contexts including News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias. It can be used to describe a wide range of scenarios, from light refraction to physical bending, making it a versatile tool for descriptive writing. While not extremely common, it is a useful addition to your vocabulary for clearly conveying changes in direction or alignment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

curved away

Focuses on the curved nature of the deviation, emphasizing the shape of the bend.

angled away

Highlights the angular nature of the deviation, suggesting a sharp change in direction.

deflected

Implies a forced change in direction, often due to an external force.

diverged

Suggests a separation or branching out from a common point.

veered off

Describes a sudden change in direction, often in the context of movement or travel.

turned aside

Focuses on the act of turning away from a path or direction.

swerved

Suggests an abrupt and often unstable change in direction.

receded

Implies a moving back or away from a previous position.

drifted away

Suggests a gradual and passive movement away from something.

deviated

Emphasizes a departure from a standard or expected course.

FAQs

How can I use "bent away" in a sentence describing light?

When light passes from a denser medium to a rarer medium, it is "bent away" from the normal, increasing the angle of refraction.

What is a good substitute for "bent away"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "curved away", "angled away", or "deflected" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "the light bent away" or "the light was bent away"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "the light was bent away" implies an external force caused the bending, whereas "the light bent away" suggests it's a natural phenomenon such as refraction.

What's the difference between "bent away" and "bending away"?

"Bent away" describes a completed action, like a branch that has already moved, while "bending away" describes an ongoing action, like a tree "bending away" in the wind.