he avoided me

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he avoided me" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where someone intentionally keeps their distance or does not engage with you. Example: "After our disagreement, I noticed that he avoided me at all costs during the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

He spotted me at some social function and says that he avoided me.

The Guardian

Rather than engage me in a productive manner that would earn my trust and loyalty, he avoided me because he could not bully me".

The New York Times

When I went to see Ryan in prison, at first he avoided me, but eventually he came to me and apologised.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

His hostility hardly went unnoticed — "I have the impression he avoids me, and let it go at that," Arendt remarked after trying to see Bellow in Chicago.

The New Yorker

In another letter, also addressed to Joseph's companion, she complained: "He avoids me.

Wikipedia

I like to think that he always avoided me for that reason, but in any case I am thankful that he wasn't there.

Huffington Post

After that there were a number of opportunities for us to meet but he always avoided me.

The New York Times

"So he was trying to avoid me". He was.

Los Angeles Times

That means he is either on an airplane, or he's avoiding me like the plague.

TechCrunch

"I tried to make contact with him - but he didn't want to speak to me, he was avoiding me.

BBC

"He spent the whole party talking to her, and he kept avoiding me when I approached," Mr. Lakeland said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he avoided me" to describe a situation where someone intentionally keeps their distance or does not engage with you. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "he avoided me" might sound too informal for highly formal or academic writing. Consider more professional alternatives such as "he distanced himself from me" or "he refrained from contacting me".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he avoided me" functions as a declarative statement where 'he' is the subject performing the action of 'avoiding' towards 'me', the object. This construction clearly communicates an intentional act of evasion. As Ludwig explains, the sentence is grammatically correct and suitable for use.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Wiki

24%

Formal & Business

24%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he avoided me" is a grammatically sound and relatively common expression used to describe someone intentionally keeping their distance. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in English. While generally neutral in register, it's important to consider the context and potential for more formal alternatives in certain situations. The phrase appears frequently in news media and personal narratives. When writing, be mindful of the potential emotional implications and choose the most appropriate phrasing for your intended message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he steered clear of me

Emphasizes the act of deliberately changing direction to not encounter someone.

he evaded me

Implies skillful or strategic avoidance.

he kept away from me

Simple and direct, emphasizing physical distance.

he kept his distance from me

Highlights maintaining physical or emotional separation.

he sidestepped me

Highlights a quick or subtle maneuver to avoid contact.

he gave me a wide berth

Suggests avoiding someone by keeping a significant space between you.

he didn't want to see me

Focuses on the desire to not have a meeting or encounter.

he shunned me

Implies a more deliberate and often social rejection.

he was avoiding my presence

More formal way to say someone was actively keeping away from you.

he ignored me

Focuses on the lack of acknowledgment or attention.

FAQs

What does "he avoided me" mean?

The phrase "he avoided me" means that someone intentionally kept their distance from you, sidestepping opportunities for interaction or contact.

What can I say instead of "he avoided me"?

You can use alternatives like "he steered clear of me", "he kept his distance from me", or "he ignored me", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "he avoided from me"?

No, the correct phrase is "he avoided me". The preposition "from" is not needed and makes the sentence grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "he avoided me" and "he ignored me"?

"He avoided me" implies active measures to prevent contact, while "he ignored me" suggests a lack of acknowledgment or attention when contact is unavoidable.