he sways

USAGE SUMMARY

"he sways" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe someone moving back and forth or being unsteady, often in a physical or metaphorical sense. Example: "As the music played, he sways gently to the rhythm." Alternative expressions include "he rocks" and "he oscillates."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

He sways.

The Guardian

On stage he sways and leers, all eyes and attitude.

The Guardian - Music

His fingers are nimble, even the mangled one, as he sways to the music.

The New York Times

Using a cane, he sways on Provincetown's streets like a retired sea captain.

The New Yorker

He sways away from a follow-up bouncer, so he can still resist some temptation.

The Guardian - Sport

He sways as if using an invisible hula hoop and flails his arms as if shooing a fly.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

He swayed back and forth slightly.

The New Yorker

He swayed as he walked back to the first room.

The New Yorker

He swayed his head in painful reverie.

The New Yorker

He swayed, and nearly knocked over the lectern.

The New Yorker

He swayed forward, peering into the recesses of my soul.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he sways" to depict a gentle, rhythmic movement or a lack of stability, ensuring the context provides sufficient detail for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "he sways" to describe a completely still or motionless subject; this creates a contradiction and confuses the reader. The phrase inherently implies movement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he sways" primarily functions as a declarative statement, with 'he' acting as the subject and 'sways' as the verb. It describes an action performed by the subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is valid in the English language.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Books

10%

Sports

7%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Vice

4%

Forbes

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he sways" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase, predominantly found in news and media contexts, as identified by Ludwig. It serves to depict a gentle or unsteady movement, carrying a neutral register. Ludwig AI confirms it is correct and usable in written English. When writing, ensure the context aligns with the implied movement to avoid misuse. While semantically similar alternatives exist, such as "he rocks" or "he oscillates", the choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he oscillates

Emphasizes a regular back-and-forth movement, suggesting a more mechanical or predictable swaying.

he rocks

Suggests a gentle, rhythmic swaying motion, often associated with comfort or music.

he teeters

Implies instability and a risk of falling, highlighting the precariousness of the swaying.

he staggers

Indicates an unsteady, uncontrolled swaying, often due to weakness or intoxication.

he wavers

Suggests hesitation or uncertainty in the swaying motion, implying a lack of conviction.

he leans

Describes a tilting movement to one side, emphasizing the direction of the sway.

he bobs

Describes short, quick up-and-down movements, often in rhythm with music.

he undulates

Implies a smooth, wave-like swaying motion, often associated with graceful movement.

he swings

Describes a broader, more forceful swaying motion, often involving a larger arc of movement.

he fluctuates

Indicates an irregular change in state or condition, often used metaphorically to describe swaying opinions or emotions.

FAQs

How can I use "he sways" in a sentence?

Use "he sways" to describe a gentle or unsteady movement. For example: "As the music played, he sways gently to the rhythm" or "Using a cane, he sways on Provincetown's streets like a retired sea captain".

What are some alternatives to "he sways"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "he rocks", "he oscillates", or "he wavers".

What does it mean when someone "sways"?

To "sway" means to move gently back and forth or from side to side. It can also imply a lack of stability or being influenced by something.

Is it correct to say "he is swaying" instead of "he sways"?

Yes, both are grammatically correct. "He sways" is simple present tense, describing a habitual action, while "he is swaying" is present continuous tense, describing an action happening now.