stay back

USAGE SUMMARY

"stay back" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase is used to tell someone to move a certain distance away from another person or object. For example, "Stay back from the burning fire!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Come in or stay back?

The New York Times

Stay back and rally?

The New York Times - Sports

Stay back, Mattingly told them.

The New York Times - Sports

I have to stay back".

The New York Times - Sports

Track officials told him to stay back.

The New York Times - Sports

"Stay back," Mr. Di Maggio said.

The New York Times - Arts

Slow down, stay back a little more".

The New York Times - Sports

"If you stay back, you have more time.

The New York Times

"We both don't need to stay back here".

The New York Times - Sports

Even when they stay back it doesn't make much difference.

The New York Times - Magazine

Those who don't make it must stay back.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "stay back" to clearly instruct someone to maintain a safe distance, particularly in situations involving potential hazards or when personal space is a concern.

Common error

While "stay back" is universally understood, it can sound too informal or abrupt in professional settings. Opt for phrases like "please keep your distance" or "do not approach" in situations that require a more polite or professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stay back" primarily functions as an imperative, issuing a direct command or instruction. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples where it's used to tell someone to maintain distance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "stay back" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to instruct someone to maintain distance. Ludwig AI validates its broad applicability across varied contexts, though its formality can vary. While primarily neutral, its perceived tone might lean towards informal based on the situation. The analysis reveals its frequent use in News & Media and more scarce appearances in Academia and Science. When writing, consider your audience and the level of formality required. In more professional contexts, alternative phrasing such as “please keep your distance” may be more suitable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

don't come any closer

A warning to halt advancement, similar to "stay back" but often used in a more confrontational or defensive context.

do not approach

A direct instruction not to come closer, similar in purpose to "stay back" but more formal.

keep your distance

Highlights maintaining a certain separation, similar to "stay back" but emphasizing the space between.

stand clear

A directive to move out of the way, similar to "stay back" but often used when there is an imminent hazard.

keep away

Focuses on avoiding something or someone, similar to "stay back" but less specific about initial proximity.

remain behind

Implies a deliberate choice to not advance or participate, differing slightly from the cautionary tone of "stay back".

hold your ground

Emphasizes resisting movement or pressure to retreat, adding a defensive aspect not present in "stay back".

retreat

Involves withdrawing from a position, often under pressure, adding a connotation of strategic withdrawal absent in "stay back".

recede

Suggests moving further away from a point of reference, implying a previous approach that "stay back" doesn't.

leave it alone

Advises against interacting with something, implying a potential disturbance or negative consequence not inherent in "stay back".

FAQs

How can I use "stay back" in a sentence?

You can use "stay back" to instruct someone to keep a safe distance, such as "Stay back from the edge of the cliff" or "The police officer told the crowd to "stay back"".

What's a more formal way to say "stay back"?

In formal settings, you can use phrases like "please keep your distance" or "do not approach" instead of "stay back".

Is "stay back" appropriate for all situations?

While generally understood, "stay back" might be too informal for professional or delicate situations. Consider the context and audience when choosing between "stay back" and alternatives such as "maintain a safe distance".

What does "stay back" mean?

"Stay back" means to remain at a distance or to not advance closer to something or someone. It is a directive to "keep away".