escape

USAGE SUMMARY

'escape' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it in many situations, such as to mean an instance of breaking free from a stressful or dangerous situation. For example: She managed to make an escape from the prison.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Basic service, without fees, must be sufficiently degraded in order to make people want to pay to escape it.

The Economist

The material effect of being so isolated is that information is reordered around the reality they can't escape: everybody has to care what the Hamas military guy says; his speech is analysed late into the night by groups huddled over cigarettes.

The Guardian - Opinion

When asked if the family had allowed di Girolamo to escape the consequences of the loan as Eddie junior had taken responsibility for it, Paul replied that the two were very close: "I sometimes think he treats me like his step-brother and Nick like his real brother".

The Guardian

If it were, I'd have my pick of going out or to the gym, traveling home, cooking and still have a window of time to escape through a screen into whatever imaginary medieval/criminal/ New York-ad-industry world takes my fancy.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

So that the Nazis would not hold their real working group responsible, Piechowski and Bendera formed a fake group of four, recruiting another boy scout, Stanislaw Gustaw Jaster, and priest Józef Lempart for their "spectacular escape".

The Guardian

No other camp used numbering – it was our escape that led to it".

The Guardian

She is repeatedly rescued, but always by men or by chance – she never escape catastrophe thanks to her own ingenuity.

The Guardian - Film

The America of which Miller spoke had been created by men and women who hoped to escape from intolerance, bigotry and the dominion of one people over another.

The Guardian - Opinion

Breathing through the anus allows nymphs to propel themselves through the water with a sudden, turbo-charged burst of speed to escape predators.

The Guardian

The hotel can also organise cookery classes, and a picnic on a farm 30km away for those who want to escape into the countryside.

The Guardian - Travel

In the mountains, or the forest with my own thoughts I can escape from the world for a bit.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "escape" to describe both physical departures from confinement and metaphorical departures from unpleasant situations.

Common error

While "escape" and "avoid" can be similar, "escape" often implies a pre-existing confinement or undesirable state. Overusing it may dilute the intensity of situations where simply "avoiding" is more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "escape" is as both a verb, indicating the action of breaking free, and a noun, referring to the act or means of escaping. Ludwig AI confirms this versatility, showcasing its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "escape" functions both as a verb and a noun, denoting the act of breaking free from confinement or avoiding unpleasant situations. Ludwig AI validates its wide applicability across contexts, with the majority of examples sourced from News & Media. While grammatically correct and commonly used, it's crucial to distinguish "escape" from "avoid", as the former implies a prior state of confinement. To enhance your writing, use "escape" to describe both physical and metaphorical departures, and consider synonyms like "flee" or "evade" to add nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

break free

Emphasizes the act of liberating oneself from confinement or control.

get away

Focuses on the act of leaving or avoiding a place or situation.

evade

Highlights the act of avoiding something, often cleverly or strategically.

avoid

Suggests keeping away from something undesirable.

flee

Implies a rapid departure, often from danger.

abscond

Refers to leaving secretly and suddenly, typically to avoid detection or legal consequences.

slip away

Suggests leaving discreetly or unnoticed.

make off

Emphasizes leaving quickly, often after committing a crime.

bolt

Implies a sudden and energetic departure.

decamp

Refers to leaving a camp or temporary residence.

FAQs

How can I use "escape" in a sentence?

You can use "escape" to describe physically breaking free from a place, as in "The prisoners attempted to escape", or to describe avoiding something unpleasant, as in "He wanted to escape the pressures of city life".

What can I say instead of "escape"?

You can use alternatives like "flee", "evade", or "avoid" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "escape from" or "escape"?

Both "escape" and "escape from" are correct, but "escape from" is typically used when specifying what is being escaped, like "escape from prison". "Escape" can be used more generally, such as "He planned his escape".

What's the difference between "escape" and "avoid"?

"Escape" implies a previous state of confinement or entrapment, while "avoid" simply means to keep away from something. You can escape a prison, but you avoid a traffic jam.