face away

USAGE SUMMARY

"face away" is correct and can be used in written English.
This phrase is often used to describe an action where someone turns their face away from something, usually in order to avoid seeing it. Example sentence: She quickly faced away when she saw the gruesome scene.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He turns his face away from scrutiny.

The New York Times - Books

Ann Lee turns her face away.

The New Yorker

Most of us face away from dying.

The New York Times

The killer turns his face away, fixing his gaze elsewhere.

The New York Times

(It's not romantic; the butterflies face away from each other).

The New York Times

She turned her face away and looked out the window.

The New York Times - Magazine

She begins to cry and turns her face away.

The New York Times

The main light is on the side of the face away from the camera.

Stanford University

If you have to sneeze, please face away from the artworks.

Princeton University

She glanced at me and seemed about to say something, then turned her face away.

The New Yorker

She pointed downstairs and turned her face away, as if from an awful stench.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "face away" when describing the specific action of turning one's face to avoid visual contact, especially in situations involving discomfort or avoidance.

Common error

Avoid using "face away" when a more general term like "turn around" or "look away" would be more appropriate. "Face away" specifically emphasizes the direction of the face, so ensure this detail is relevant to the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "face away" functions primarily as an intransitive verb indicating the action of turning one's face in a direction opposite to a particular focus. As noted by Ludwig AI, this implies a deliberate avoidance of looking, as seen in the provided examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

34%

News & Media

33%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "face away" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression denoting the act of turning one's face in a direction opposite to something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it commonly signifies avoidance and appears across a variety of sources, particularly in news, media, and general-purpose content. While versatile, it's most effective when emphasizing the specific directional aspect of the face, rather than simply general turning. Alternatives like "turn away" or "look away" offer similar meanings, though lack the same degree of specificity. The phrase's neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, but attention to nuance ensures its most appropriate and impactful usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

turn away

A more general term for shifting one's body or attention away from something.

look away

Specifically refers to directing one's gaze elsewhere.

avert one's eyes

Implies a deliberate avoidance of looking at something, often due to discomfort or shame.

turn one's back

Suggests a complete rejection or abandonment of something.

shift one's gaze

Describes a subtle movement of the eyes to avoid direct contact.

deflect one's vision

Highlights the act of intentionally redirecting one's sight.

avoid looking

A straightforward way to express the act of not looking at something.

shun visual contact

Emphasizes the avoidance of any visual interaction.

turn aside

A more concise way of saying to turn to the side.

swing around

Suggests a quick or sudden change of direction.

FAQs

How can I use "face away" in a sentence?

You can use "face away" to describe the act of turning one's face in a different direction, often to avoid looking at something unpleasant or to maintain privacy. For instance, "She "turned her face away" from the gruesome scene."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "face away"?

Alternatives include "turn away", "look away", or "avert one's eyes", each carrying slightly different connotations of avoidance or redirection of gaze.

Is it grammatically correct to use "face away" in written English?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. Ludwig AI confirms that "face away" is correct and commonly used to describe someone turning their face from something.

What's the difference between "face away" and "turn away"?

"Face away" specifically refers to the direction of the face, while "turn away" is a broader term that can refer to turning the entire body or attention away from something.