shoulders away from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shoulders away from" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are instructing someone to position their shoulders in a certain way, often in relation to posture or movement. Example: "To maintain proper posture while sitting, make sure your shoulders are away from your ears."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Tilt your head back and look up, keeping your shoulders away from your ears.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I think about the cues from the many years of yoga classes I have taken: heels down, hips back, shoulders away from my ears, fingers spread wide.

Huffington Post

Drop your shoulders away from your ears.

WikiHow

Twist the shoulders away from the camera.

WikiHow

Making sure to draw the shoulders away from the ears.

WikiHow

Approach from the back of the deer's shoulders; away from hooves and head.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Gently push hip and shoulder away from arms.

The New York Times

But as we were shouldered away from the queen, it dawned on us.

The New York Times

Last month, the United States Embassy in Kuala Lumpur sent a warning to American citizens here: "Remember to carry your backpack or purse on the shoulder AWAY from the road to prevent having it snatched by motorbikers".

The New York Times

Drury was injured Saturday when Curtis Glencross of the Flames hit him in the head with a glancing blow from his shoulder away from the play, when Drury did not have the puck.

The New York Times - Sports

Angle one shoulder away from the camera.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone to keep their "shoulders away from" their ears or another body part, ensure you provide clear context regarding posture or movement for better understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "away from" when you specifically mean "back". While both imply movement, "away from" indicates direction, while "back" implies retraction or rearward motion. Using "shoulders back" is more suitable when correcting slouching, for instance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shoulders away from" typically functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or noun in a sentence. According to Ludwig, this phrase is correct and usable in written English. It often indicates a desired position or movement, particularly in instructions related to posture or exercises, as shown by examples in Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Wiki

40%

News & Media

35%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "shoulders away from" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that functions as a prepositional phrase, often in instructional contexts related to posture and exercise. According to Ludwig, its use is correct and suitable for guiding actions. The phrase has a neutral to informal register and is most frequently found in wiki and news/media sources. Remember to use it when specifically addressing shoulder elevation and be clear about the reference point (e.g., ears). Common alternatives include "relax your shoulders" or "drop your shoulders". While its usage is not exceptionally common, it effectively serves its intended purpose. Ludwig AI confirms the validity and appropriate contexts for this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

draw shoulders back

Focuses on the retraction of the shoulders, implying a movement away from a forward position.

relax shoulders down

Emphasizes the relaxation and downward movement of the shoulders, creating space.

depress the shoulders

Highlights the action of lowering the shoulders, often to relieve tension.

shrug shoulders down

Suggests an active movement of lowering the shoulders after shrugging.

roll shoulders back

Indicates a circular motion bringing the shoulders backward.

move shoulders apart

Implies creating distance between the shoulders.

separate shoulders

Focuses on creating space and movement so that the shoulders are not clumped together.

rotate shoulders backward

Emphasizes the rotational aspect of moving the shoulders.

pull shoulders down

Focuses on the action of pulling the shoulders in a downward direction.

extend shoulders backwards

Implies extending or reaching the shoulders backward.

FAQs

How can I describe the position of "shoulders away from" the ears in a sentence?

Instead of saying "shoulders away from ears", you can say "drop your shoulders", "relax your shoulders", or "lower your shoulders" to indicate the desired position.

What does it mean to keep your "shoulders away from" your ears?

Keeping your "shoulders away from" your ears means avoiding shrugging or hunching your shoulders up towards your ears, promoting a more relaxed and natural posture.

Is it correct to say "shoulders back" instead of "shoulders away from" ears?

While "shoulders back" implies correcting a forward posture, "shoulders away from" ears specifically addresses shoulder elevation. They are related but not perfectly interchangeable. Use "shoulders back" if the primary issue is rounded shoulders.

When should I use "shoulders away from" compared to other posture cues?

Use "shoulders away from" when addressing shoulder elevation, particularly in exercises or postural corrections. Other cues like "chest up" or "stand tall" may address overall posture but not specifically the shoulder position.