drift further apart

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "drift further apart" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where two people or entities are becoming more distant over time. For example, "As the years went by, the two friends gradually drifted further apart."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

In the absence of a shared history, Bosniak, Serb and Croat communities drift further apart.

The Guardian

As America's rich and poor drift further apart, its growth curve may be headed in the opposite direction, Komlos and others say.

The New Yorker

But the line between war trauma and ordinary angst — between suffering and self-pity — gets harder to draw as conflict and consequence drift further apart.

The New Yorker

As he and his father drift further apart, so the family are at a loss at what to do.

Wikipedia

I suggest that during dorsal closure, the two structures drift further apart as the lateral margins of the germband are stretched dorsally.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Since the formal dissolution of Senegambia in 1989, the two countries have drifted further apart.

The New York Times

Sources & acknowledgmentsReprintsInstead, they appear to be drifting further apart.

The Economist

Huge cuts in police budgets mean that officers and the communities they serve have drifted further apart.

The Guardian - Opinion

Over the decades, as congregations swelled, few people noticed that the Anglican family was drifting further apart.

The Guardian - Opinion

As rural and urban Americans drifted further apart, with the former getting poorer and unlikely to benefit from an emerging service and tech-based economy, rural resentments simmered.

The Washington Post

In the years before Mr. Sarkozy took office, no two countries in the Western alliance had drifted further apart than France and the United States.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "drift further apart" to describe gradual separation, whether in relationships, ideologies, or even physical entities. Ensure the context supports a sense of slow, unintended movement away from each other.

Common error

Avoid using "drift further apart" when describing sudden or abrupt separations. This phrase is more suitable for situations where the distance increases gradually over time, not from a single event.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "drift further apart" functions as a verbal phrase, typically used as part of a predicate. It describes a process of gradual separation or divergence. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness and usability of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "drift further apart" effectively communicates a gradual separation or distancing, whether in relationships, ideologies, or physical proximity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English. The analysis shows that while the phrase is most frequently used in news and media, it also appears in wiki and science contexts. Understanding the appropriate context—emphasizing the slow, unintended nature of this separation—is crucial for its correct application. Alternatives such as "grow more distant" or "separate gradually" can be used for slight variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grow more distant

Focuses on the increasing emotional or relational distance.

become estranged

Suggests a breakdown in a relationship, often with negative connotations.

separate gradually

Highlights the slow and progressive nature of the separation.

diverge increasingly

Emphasizes the different paths or directions taken, leading to separation.

split further

Implies a division or schism that widens over time.

move further away

Highlights a physical or metaphorical relocation away from each other.

fall further away

Describes a gradual decline in closeness or connection.

lose touch progressively

Focuses on the diminishing communication and contact.

widen the gap

Emphasizes the expansion of the divide between two entities.

decline in closeness

Suggests a reduction in the emotional or physical proximity.

FAQs

What does "drift further apart" mean?

The phrase "drift further apart" describes a gradual process where two or more people or things become increasingly distant or separate from each other over time.

How can I use "drift further apart" in a sentence?

You can use "drift further apart" to describe relationships, countries, or even ideas that are becoming more separate. For instance, "After years of neglect, the two countries "grew more distant" and eventually "drifted further apart"."

What are some synonyms for "drift further apart"?

Alternatives include phrases like "grow more distant", "become estranged", or "separate gradually", each with slightly different connotations.

Is it better to say "drift further apart" or "drift farther apart"?

Both "further" and "farther" can be used, but "further" is generally preferred when referring to metaphorical distance, like the distance between people or ideas, making "drift further apart" more common in such contexts.