escape from

USAGE SUMMARY

"escape from" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to mean to flee or break free from something. For example, "The prisoner was able to escape from the jail."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

ESCAPE FROM CAMP 14, by Blaine Harden.

The New York Times

No escape from ourselves?

The New Yorker

We can't escape from it.

The New Yorker

There is no escape from history.

The New York Times

IT IS hard to escape from history.

The Economist

She hallucinated an escape from the I.C.U.

The New York Times

The question arises, though: Escape from what?

The New Yorker

You need an escape from that".

The New York Times

He braved death to escape from Syria.

The New York Times

There is no escape from that.

Independent

Escape from politics was not long-lived.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing creatively, consider using "escape from" to set a tone of urgency or danger, especially in narratives involving flight or evasion.

Common error

Avoid using "escape from" when a simpler verb like "leave" or "avoid" would suffice. Overusing "escape from" can make your writing sound overly dramatic or verbose when a more straightforward term would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "escape from" is to act as a verb phrase with a preposition, indicating the action of breaking free or avoiding something. As seen in the Ludwig examples, it connects a subject with the act of fleeing or evading a specified entity or situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

10%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "escape from" is a commonly used and grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe the act of breaking free or avoiding a situation, place, or entity. As Ludwig highlights, it is employed across various contexts, primarily in News & Media, and is suitable for both formal and informal writing. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly specifies what is being escaped and consider whether a simpler verb like "leave" or "avoid" might be more appropriate. While alternatives such as "flee from", "break away from", and "get away from" exist, "escape from" effectively conveys the effort and intent involved in breaking free from something undesirable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

flee from

This alternative emphasizes a quick or hurried departure to avoid danger or capture.

break free from

This emphasizes achieving liberation from confinement or control.

break away from

This suggests a forceful or decisive separation from a restrictive situation or group.

get away from

This indicates a successful move to avoid something unpleasant or dangerous.

evade

Implies cleverly avoiding something, often detection or pursuit.

avoid

Suggests taking steps to prevent encountering something undesirable.

steer clear of

This implies deliberately keeping a distance from something potentially harmful or problematic.

elude

This indicates escaping notice or capture, often through skill or cunning.

shake off

This suggests freeing oneself from something clinging or pursuing.

get out of

This indicates extricating oneself from an obligation or commitment.

FAQs

How can I use "escape from" in a sentence?

Use "escape from" to describe the act of getting free from something undesirable. For example, "The prisoner attempted to "escape from" the jail" or "She needed an "escape from reality"."

What are some alternatives to "escape from"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "flee from", "break away from", or "get away from" to convey similar meanings.

Is "escape from" formal or informal?

"Escape from" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. The tone of your writing depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and sentence structure than the phrase itself.

When should I use "escape from" versus a simpler word like "leave"?

Use "escape from" when you want to emphasize the effort or difficulty involved in leaving a place or situation. If the departure is straightforward and without obstacles, "leave" may be more appropriate. For example, you might "escape from" a dangerous situation, but simply "leave" a meeting.