fall away

USAGE SUMMARY

"fall away" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to describe something or someone gradually diminishing in importance, strength, or value. Here is an example: "The popular TV show's ratings began to fall away in its final season, as viewers grew tired of the repetitive plot lines."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Some things fall away.

The New Yorker

Then things started to fall away.

Independent

The limits on shopping will fall away.

The New York Times - Tech

You can fall away and come back.

The New York Times - Arts

In the moment, doubts fall away.

The Guardian - Books

Friends will fall away from you.

The New York Times

And then it started to fall away.

The Guardian - Film

Ms. Alt expects more to fall away.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

All impairment falls away.

Independent

The meaning falls away".

The New Yorker

Friends fell away.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fall away" to describe a gradual reduction or disappearance, whether it's in quantity, importance, or support. For instance, "As the scandal unfolded, his political support began to fall away."

Common error

Avoid using alternative prepositions with "fall". "Fall off", for example, has a different meaning, typically referring to a physical detachment rather than a gradual decline. "Fall away" is specifically for something diminishing or ceasing to exist.

Linguistic Context

Fall away functions primarily as a phrasal verb, indicating a gradual decrease, disappearance, or detachment. Ludwig provides examples where it describes support diminishing, doubts vanishing, or physical landscapes receding.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "fall away" is a versatile term used to describe a gradual decline, disappearance, or detachment. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in News & Media contexts. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various writing styles, although more formal alternatives may be appropriate in certain academic or professional settings. When using "fall away", remember its specific connotation of gradual reduction to avoid misusing similar phrasal verbs like "fall apart".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

diminish

Indicates a reduction in size, importance, or intensity, similar to one sense of "fall away".

wane

Suggests a gradual decline in power, influence, or extent, echoing the diminishing aspect of "fall away".

fade

Implies a gradual loss of color, brightness, or strength, akin to something "falling away" in prominence.

dwindle

Denotes a steady reduction in size or amount, sharing the decreasing nature of "fall away".

lessen

To make or become less; reduce.

peter out

Means to gradually decrease or come to an end, similar to something "falling away" to nothing.

drop off

Suggests a decrease in quantity or intensity.

disappear

Means to cease to be visible or present.

vanish

Implies a sudden or mysterious disappearance, reflecting a more abrupt form of "falling away".

decline

Indicates a gradual deterioration or decrease in quality or quantity.

FAQs

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

You can use "fall away" to describe a gradual decrease or disappearance. For instance, "The initial excitement for the project began to "fall away" as deadlines approached."

What can I say instead of "fall away"?

You can use alternatives like "diminish", "wane", or "fade" depending on the context.

Is "fall away" formal or informal?

"Fall away" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives might be preferred in academic or professional writing.

What's the difference between "fall away" and "fall apart"?

"Fall away" implies a gradual reduction or disappearance, while "fall apart" suggests a sudden disintegration or collapse. They are not interchangeable.