escaping

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "escaping" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in both the present tense ("She is escaping from her problems") and the past tense ("He escaped from prison"). For example, you could use it in a sentence like: "She tried to distract herself by escaping into a book."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Australia's aid cuts also show a shift in spending geographically, with countries in the Pacific either escaping cuts (in nominal terms) or only facing small reductions in aid.

The Guardian

You brought his life to an end without any motive in circumstances which you know amounted to murder…" Since his mother died, Ben Gunn had been forever escaping the rules and authority that had closed in on him, climbing out of windows, scarpering down driveways.

The Guardian

When you see steam escaping, do not remove the lid, but bring the heat down to low and simmer for 10-12 minutes.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

One resident described escaping across suburban soccer fields in his car, with "hell in the rearview mirror".

The Guardian - Opinion

But the UNHCR notes that those in the three main nations of origin – Syria, Eritrea and Somalia – are escaping conflict and rampant rights abuses.

The Guardian

The loping Watson even makes dry days look wet, leaping away from packs like a gammy-legged plumber escaping a rising pool of sewerage.

The Guardian - Sport

In Edwardian times, Machrihanish would have been bustling with holidaymakers escaping industrial Glasgow in summer, arriving at nearby Campbeltown on one of the many steamers that serviced the area.

The Guardian - Travel

The hardcore American myths of fighting rivals, making it and escaping the hood mingle with the swagger, anxiety and wariness of an English black man born in broken Peckham in the early 1980s, raised by a feisty single mum, a father himself at 21, who ended up spending two years in jail on gun charges, numbly emerging in 2005 with a plan to better himself.

The Guardian - Music

To use a recent analogy, we need to do all we can to make sure that any steam escaping from the pressure cooker of social funding reductions does not harm those in need of care and support or their carers".

The Guardian

Mexico's most infamous drug lord, Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán, has been captured, 13 years after escaping from a high-security jail.

The Guardian

It opens with Larkin in typically dismal form, "late getting away" escaping Hull on a sunlit Saturday afternoon, on an almost empty train smelling of hot cushions and the pervasive reek of the town's fish dock.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using more vivid verbs if you want to convey a more graphic image. For example, consider “fleeing” or “absconding” as alternatives, depending on the nuance you wish to impart. Each term offers a distinct shade of meaning that could better suit your narrative.

Common error

Ensure the context clearly defines what is being escaped. Ambiguous phrasing can confuse readers. Always clarify whether it's a physical place, situation, or abstract concept one is "escaping" from.

Linguistic Context

The word "escaping" functions primarily as a present participle, often used in continuous verb tenses to describe an ongoing action of getting free from something. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and frequent use in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Travel

15%

Opinion

10%

Less common in

Sport

8%

Lifestyle

7%

Film

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "escaping" is a versatile present participle frequently used to describe the act of breaking free from challenging situations. Ludwig AI indicates it as correct. As analyzed, it finds prominence in news, travel, and opinion pieces, and its neutral register makes it suitable for diverse writing styles. When using "escaping", ensure clarity regarding the object of escape to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives such as "fleeing" or "evading" for nuanced meanings. Be precise in defining "escaping" to enhance your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

getting away

Indicates a successful departure or escape from a place or situation.

fleeing

Suggests running away from danger or an undesirable situation.

running away from

Highlights the act of avoiding responsibilities or problems.

evading

Implies skillfully avoiding something, often with a sense of trickery or cunning.

taking flight

Emphasizes a rapid or dramatic departure, often in response to danger.

avoiding

Refers to keeping away from something or someone, either physically or figuratively.

eluding capture

Specifically refers to avoiding being caught or apprehended.

breaking free

Emphasizes the act of liberating oneself from constraints or oppression.

slipping away

Implies a subtle or unnoticed departure.

absconding

Suggests a secretive and often illegal departure, typically with something valuable.

FAQs

How can I use "escaping" in a sentence?

You can use "escaping" to describe the act of getting free from something unpleasant. For example: "They are escaping the war" or "She is escaping from her problems".

What are some alternatives to "escaping"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "evading", "fleeing", or "avoiding".

Is it correct to say "escaping from" or just "escaping"?

While "escaping" can sometimes be used alone, it's often clearer to use "escaping from" to specify what is being escaped.

What's the difference between "escaping" and "avoiding"?

"Escaping" implies a more immediate or dangerous situation one is trying to leave, whereas "avoiding" suggests a more general act of keeping away from something.