drifted away from

USAGE SUMMARY

"drifted away from" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use this phrase to describe a situation where something is gradually moving out of reach or becoming distant. For example, "The boat drifted away from us, until we could no longer see it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It's not so much that I drifted away from them as they drifted away from me".

The New Yorker

He drifted away from his father.

The New York Times

That he'd drifted away from it.

The New Yorker

The ball drifted away from Overbay, and the game continued.

The New York Times - Sports

Phelps-Roper's conversations with C.G. often drifted away from morality.

The New Yorker

"Then I drifted away from it," he said.

The New York Times - Books

International attention has drifted away from Chechnya since then.

The New York Times

MacColl eventually drifted away from theatre, focusing increasingly on music.

The Guardian - Music

It had "drifted away" from patients and needed to reconnect.

The Guardian

He drifted away from religion but not from Christian principles.

The Guardian

As consumers have drifted away from soda to less sugary beverages, tea sales have boomed.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "drifted away from" to describe a gradual separation or divergence, whether in relationships, beliefs, or physical locations. It often implies a lack of deliberate intent.

Common error

Avoid using "drifted away from" when a more active verb like "abandoned" or "rejected" is more appropriate. "Drifted away from" suggests a passive process, while "abandoned" and "rejected" indicate a deliberate choice.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "drifted away from" functions as a prepositional verb phrase. It describes a gradual movement or separation, often implying a lack of conscious effort or intent. It is frequently used to describe relationships, beliefs, or physical locations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "drifted away from" is a common and versatile prepositional verb phrase used to describe a gradual separation or divergence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and appropriate for various writing styles. Its neutral register and frequent use in news and media make it a useful phrase for describing changes in relationships, beliefs, or physical locations. Remember to consider whether a more active verb might be more appropriate if you wish to emphasize intent or agency in the separation. Alternatives such as "strayed from" or "departed from" may offer a more precise meaning in certain contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

strayed from

This alternative suggests a wandering or deviation from a path or principle, implying a less passive separation.

diverged from

This suggests a branching off or a difference in opinion or direction, emphasizing a separation of paths.

deviated from

Similar to "strayed from", this implies a departure from an established course or standard.

departed from

This suggests a more formal and decisive leaving or divergence from something.

moved away from

This is a more literal and general term for separating physically or ideologically.

become estranged from

This suggests a loss of affection or familiarity, often in personal relationships.

grown apart from

This implies a gradual emotional or relational separation over time.

veered away from

This suggests a sudden or intentional change of direction or focus.

dissociated from

This implies a deliberate separation or disavowal of association with something.

lost touch with

This suggests a gradual decrease in communication or connection.

FAQs

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

The phrase "drifted away from" describes a gradual separation or change in relationship, belief, or physical proximity. For example, "Over time, they "drifted away from" each other" or "He "drifted away from" his original political beliefs."

What are some alternatives to "drifted away from"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "strayed from", "diverged from", or "moved away from" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "drifted away from" in formal writing?

Yes, "drifted away from" is appropriate for both formal and informal writing. However, consider more precise alternatives like "departed from" in formal contexts for a more impactful statement.

What's the difference between "drifted away from" and "walked away from"?

"Drifted away from" suggests a passive, gradual separation, while "walked away from" implies a conscious, deliberate decision to leave or abandon something.