staying away from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "staying away from" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the act of avoiding or keeping a distance from something or someone. Example: "I have been staying away from junk food to improve my health."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Staying away from N.Y. the org.

The New Yorker

"We're just staying away from that," Mr. Franczak says.

The New York Times

Public-sector workers are staying away from work en masse.

The Economist

Staying away from modern means keeping the Wurlitzer.

The New York Times

MANY money managers are staying away from high-yield bonds.

The New York Times

Staying away from the Tory conference in Birmingham hasn't helped.

The Guardian - Opinion

Staying away from the limelight means she is rarely recognised.

The Guardian

And most importantly, staying away from doctors as much as possible.

Harvard University

Staying away from all drugs if possible is the way to go with CFS/Fibro.

Harvard University

University Health officials advised people to avoid smoke inhalation by staying away from the fire area.

University of California, Berkeley

Staying away from the hands of Johnson will be easier said than done though.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In medical or health contexts, this phrase is particularly effective for suggesting lifestyle changes regarding diet or allergens.

Common error

Writers sometimes mistakenly add extra prepositions, such as writing "staying away from out of the rain" instead of simply "staying away from the rain" or "staying out of the rain." Ensure the phrase leads directly to the object being avoided.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "staying away from" functions as a gerund-participial construction. It typically acts as the subject of a sentence, an object of a preposition or as part of a continuous verb phrase. According to Ludwig AI, it is a standard English expression used to denote the act of avoidance or maintaining physical or metaphorical distance.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Science

3%

Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "staying away from" is a robust and highly versatile phrase in the English language. Based on the 59 examples analyzed by Ludwig, it is equally effective in high-level News & Media, Academic journals and everyday Wiki guides. Whether you are discussing financial caution in Forbes or health advice from Harvard University, this phrase clearly communicates the intent to maintain distance. Ludwig AI identifies it as a correct and common construction that writers can use with confidence to describe ongoing habits or strategic decisions. While alternatives like "<a href="/s/avoiding" target="_blank" rel="alternative">avoiding" provide a more formal tone, "staying away from" offers a relatable and descriptive way to frame the act of exclusion or protection.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

avoiding

More concise and direct, often preferred in formal writing.

keeping away from

Very similar in meaning but slightly more emphasizes the physical distance.

steering clear of

An idiomatic expression that implies navigating around a potential hazard.

keeping one's distance from

Emphasizes the maintenance of a safe gap, often in social contexts.

refraining from

Focuses on the self-restraint required to not engage in an action.

abstaining from

Specific to avoiding substances, habits or voting.

shunning

Suggests a more deliberate, often social or moral rejection.

eschewing

A very formal and literary alternative for avoiding something habitually.

evading

Implies a more active or clever way of dodging something.

bypassing

Suggests going around something rather than just avoiding it entirely.

FAQs

How to use "staying away from" in a sentence?

You can use it as a subject, such as "Staying away from sugar is difficult," or as a continuous verb, like "He is staying away from trouble."

What can I say instead of "staying away from"?

You can use alternatives like "<a href="/s/avoiding" target="_blank" rel="alternative">avoiding", "<a href="/s/steering+clear+of" target="_blank" rel="alternative">steering clear of" or "<a href="/s/refraining+from" target="_blank" rel="alternative">refraining from" depending on your context.

Is "staying away from" grammatically correct?

Yes, it is a perfectly correct and standard English phrase. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent usage in reputable sources like The New York Times and Harvard University.

What is the difference between "staying away from" and "avoiding"?

While "<a href="/s/avoiding" target="_blank" rel="alternative">avoiding" is more formal and concise, "staying away from" often implies a more literal or physical distance and suggests a continuous effort over time.