moved away from

USAGE SUMMARY

"moved away from" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to physically or figuratively distance oneself from something or someone. Example: After years of living in the city, she decided to move away from the hustle and bustle and settle down in a more peaceful countryside.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We've moved away from that".

The New York Times

Moved away from Beaver Stadium?

The New York Times

Human groups moved away from the area.

Quaternary International

But people have moved away from that.

The New York Times

But we've moved away from that.

The New York Times

Mohamed moved away from him.

The New Yorker

We haven't moved away from our roots.

The New York Times - Arts

"I've moved away from the party bosses".

The New York Times

I've never moved away from that.

The Guardian

Have you consciously moved away from that?

The Guardian - Books

Yet Ibrahim moved away from abstract jazz.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "moved away from", ensure the context clearly indicates whether the movement is physical, metaphorical, or both. This will prevent ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "moved away from" in contexts where a more precise verb would be more effective. For instance, instead of saying 'The company moved away from its original strategy', consider 'The company abandoned its original strategy' or 'The company revised its original strategy' if they are more accurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "moved away from" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb to indicate a direction, either literal or figurative, of movement or change. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's commonly used to show a transition from a previous state or location.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "moved away from" is a versatile prepositional phrase indicating a physical or figurative departure. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely used. Analysis of numerous examples reveals its prevalence in News & Media and Science, and it's deemed neutral in formality. Remember to select the most precise wording to prevent ambiguity, depending on the intent of either physical movement or a change of strategy, attitude, or focus. Alternative phrases such as "departed from" or "shifted away from", may provide a more precise nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

distanced oneself from

Indicates making oneself less connected or involved with someone or something.

shifted away from

Emphasizes a change in focus, position, or direction.

departed from

Implies a formal or definitive leaving of a place, idea, or situation.

diverged from

Suggests a branching off or difference in opinion, path, or characteristic.

drifted from

Indicates a gradual, often unintentional, movement away from something.

veered from

Highlights a sudden change in direction or course, either physically or figuratively.

retreated from

Implies withdrawing from a position, belief, or commitment, often due to pressure.

abandoned

Suggests a complete and often sudden leaving behind of something.

evacuated from

Implies a removal from a dangerous or undesirable area.

transplanted from

Denotes a physical relocation from one location to another

FAQs

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

You can use "moved away from" to describe a physical relocation, as in "They moved away from their hometown", or a shift in opinion or strategy, as in "The company moved away from its initial marketing plan".

What are some alternatives to "moved away from"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "departed from", "diverged from", or "distanced oneself from".

Is it correct to say "moved away from" in formal writing?

Yes, "moved away from" is perfectly acceptable in formal writing. However, ensure that your word choice matches the specific nuance you intend to convey. For example, "distanced oneself from" may be more precise in certain scenarios.

What's the difference between "moved away from" and "shifted away from"?

"Moved away from" generally implies a complete change, while "shifted away from" suggests a more gradual or subtle change in direction or focus.