facing away from

USAGE SUMMARY

"facing away from" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use this phrase to describe the direction in which someone or something is positioned. For example, "She walked away from the crowd, facing away from them."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

When he was facing away from her, she seemed bolder.

The New Yorker

Reporters hovered near his desk, facing away from the stage.

The New York Times

He yanks her around so she's facing away from him.

The New Yorker

She is bent over, facing away from the camera.

The New York Times - Magazine

He had them turn around, facing away from the camera.

The Guardian

Then it's instantly clear that the dark side -- the side facing away from the Sun —­ is different from the far side, ­ the side facing away from the Earth.

The New York Times - Science

Her own window, like Albert's, is on the jeep's left side, facing away from the lions.

The New Yorker

Their investigation had indicated that Hernandez was facing away from the marines when he was shot.

The Economist

He's lying on the sidewalk, his body twisted, facing away from the camera.

The New Yorker

She had made the ascent facing away from the bed rather than toward it.

The New York Times

But her head stayed down and facing away from him on the pillow.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing spatial arrangements or directions, ensure that the reference point for "facing away from" is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify what the subject is facing away from.

Common error

Avoid using "facing away from" without clearly indicating what the subject is facing away from. Omitting this reference can lead to confusion. Be specific about the object or direction the subject is not facing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "facing away from" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb, noun, or another prepositional phrase. It describes the direction or orientation of someone or something in relation to a specific point or object, as Ludwig AI confirms.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

35%

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "facing away from" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase that effectively describes spatial orientation. According to Ludwig AI, it’s a correct and usable phrase in written English. Its widespread use across diverse sources, as highlighted by Ludwig, indicates its versatility and general acceptance. When employing this phrase, ensure that the reference point is clear to prevent ambiguity. While direct and simple, alternatives like "turned away from" or "oriented opposite to" may offer more precision depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

turned away from

Focuses on the action of turning, emphasizing a deliberate change in orientation.

with one's back to

Describes the position of the back in relation to something, highlighting a physical stance.

oriented opposite to

Emphasizes a specific, often technical, directional relationship, applicable in precise contexts.

looking in the opposite direction

Highlights the direction of gaze as being contrary to a particular focus.

away from the front

Indicates a direction that is not the front, suggesting a change of perspective.

situated at the rear of

Refers to being located at the back of something, often used for objects or structures.

at the back

Simply indicates a position at the back, conveying a basic spatial relationship.

outward facing

Describes something that is turned or oriented to the outside or away from a center.

reverse facing

Highlights that the facing is opposite to the normal or expected direction.

with the rear toward

Indicates that the back part is directed toward something, focusing on physical orientation.

FAQs

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

Use "facing away from" to describe something's orientation relative to a specific point or direction. For instance, "The child was "facing away from" the stage, distracted by something in the crowd."

What are some alternatives to "facing away from"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "turned away from", "with one's back to", or "oriented opposite to".

Is it always necessary to specify what something is "facing away from"?

Yes, for clarity, it's important to specify what the subject is "facing away from". Omitting this can cause confusion about the subject's orientation. If the context makes it obvious, it might be acceptable to omit it, but specificity is generally preferred.

Which is more appropriate in formal writing, "facing away from" or another alternative?

While "facing away from" is acceptable in formal writing, more precise alternatives like "oriented opposite to" or "turned away from" may be preferred depending on the specific context and the level of detail required.