drift away

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "drift away" is a perfectly valid part of a sentence in written English.
It can be used to refer to a gradual, slow departure, either literally or figuratively. For example: We watched the sun drift away, leaving us in peaceful darkness.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The young drift away.

Independent

The ladies drift away.

The New York Times

Customers began to drift away.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Single figures drift away briefly for solos.

The New York Times - Arts

Talented young staff would drift away.

The Guardian

Continents drift away faster than that!" The creek flowed slowly.

The New Yorker

Some players listen closely; others quickly drift away.

The New York Times - Sports

And then, as instructed, I let the thought drift away.

The New Yorker

And will not drift away beneath our shoes.

The New York Times - Books

The nurses stopped predicting when she would drift away.

The New Yorker

Members started to drift away to other clubs.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "drift away" to describe a gradual or subtle departure, whether physical, emotional, or metaphorical. For example, "As the music played, her thoughts began to drift away."

Common error

Avoid using "drift away" when you want to convey a sudden or forceful departure. Opt for phrases like "storm off" or "bolt" to indicate quick and decisive movement. "Drift away" implies a gentle, unhurried process.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "drift away" primarily functions as an intransitive verb, describing a subject's gradual movement or departure from a physical location, mental state, or relationship. Ludwig provides examples that illustrate this usage, such as continents that "drift away" or customers that "drift away" from businesses.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

18%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "drift away" is a versatile and commonly used expression to describe a gradual departure or separation. As Ludwig AI explains, it follows standard grammar rules and is widely accepted. The phrase appears frequently in news and media, as well as academic and scientific writing, suggesting a neutral register. To avoid common errors, remember that "drift away" implies a subtle, unhurried process, distinguishing it from more abrupt departures. When seeking alternatives, consider options like ""fade away"" or "slip away" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fade away

Focuses more on the gradual disappearance or weakening of something.

wander off

Emphasizes aimless movement or straying from a path or topic.

slip away

Suggests a discreet or unnoticed departure.

move on

Highlights transitioning to a new phase or topic, often implying closure.

recede

Implies a gradual retreat or withdrawal.

dissipate

Focuses on the scattering or vanishing of something, like mist or energy.

ebb away

Refers to a gradual decline or reduction, often associated with tides or emotions.

grow apart

Specifically refers to the gradual separation of people due to changing interests or circumstances.

veer off

Suggests a sudden change in direction or course.

deflect

Indicates a turning aside or deviation from a straight course.

FAQs

How can I use "drift away" in a sentence?

The phrasal verb "drift away" suggests a slow and gradual departure or fading. For example, "As the boat sailed, the shoreline started to drift away", or "Don't let your dreams "fade away"".

What's the difference between "drift away" and "wander off"?

"Drift away" implies a gentle, often unintentional departure, while "wander off" suggests a more aimless or undirected movement. One could "drift away" into sleep, but would "wander off" into the woods.

What can I say instead of "drift away"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as ""fade away"", "slip away", or "wander off".

Is it correct to say "drifting away"?

Yes, "drifting away" is the present participle form of the phrasal verb "drift away", and it's perfectly acceptable in progressive verb tenses, like "The balloon is drifting away".