steer away from

USAGE SUMMARY

"steer away from" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when talking about avoiding something or someone. For example: "We need to steer away from old habits if we want to make progress."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The government has tried to steer away from both horrors.

The Economist

Many companies also steer away from games with mature content.

The Washington Post

We tried to steer away from any kind of cliche".

The Guardian - Music

So I tend to steer away from those unless I have to for the research projects.

Cornell University

Now, as an American, you're the one who wants to steer away from that subject.

The New York Times

We're trying to steer away from gimmick and focus on making more and more porridge".

Independent

The smarter banks started to steer away from the problem in late 2006 and early 2007.

The Economist

His new bosses, he recalled, told Mr. Stern to steer away from sex and religion.

The New York Times

The company is experimenting with devices that would automatically steer away from an oncoming vehicle.

The Economist

"My advice is to steer away from predictable colours that are associated with sex.

Independent

Congressmen steer away from thorny gun control debates, offering instead their "thoughts and prayers".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "steer away from" when you want to express a conscious effort to avoid something potentially negative or problematic. For instance, "We should steer away from making assumptions without data."

Common error

While "steer away from" is versatile, consider using more formal alternatives like "avoid" or "circumvent" in professional or academic writing to maintain a sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "steer away from" functions primarily as a verb of avoidance. It indicates a deliberate action taken to keep oneself or something else clear of a particular person, place, situation, or topic. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "steer away from" is a very common and grammatically sound phrasal verb used to express deliberate avoidance. As Ludwig AI confirms, this expression is usable in written English across various contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media and Wiki sources, it serves to caution or advise against potential negative outcomes. For more formal contexts, alternatives like "avoid" or "circumvent" may be more appropriate. By understanding its usage and context, writers can effectively communicate the intent to steer clear of undesirable situations or topics.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stay away from

Similar to "steer away from", but slightly more informal.

avoid

This alternative is more concise and direct, suitable for general contexts.

evade

This alternative implies skillfully escaping or eluding something.

keep clear of

This alternative emphasizes maintaining a safe distance.

shun

This alternative suggests deliberately avoiding someone or something.

sidestep

This alternative implies avoiding a direct confrontation or issue.

circumvent

This alternative suggests finding a way around an obstacle or problem.

dodge

This alternative suggests quickly moving out of the way to avoid something.

escape

This alternative suggests getting free from a dangerous or confining situation.

abstain from

This alternative means to refrain from doing or enjoying something.

FAQs

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

You can use "steer away from" to indicate avoiding something. For example, "The company decided to "steer away from" controversial investments to maintain a positive public image."

What are some alternatives to "steer away from"?

Alternatives include "avoid", "evade", or "stay away from", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "steering away from" the same as "steer away from"?

"Steering away from" is the continuous form of ""steer away from"", used to describe an ongoing action of avoidance. For example, "She is steering away from negative influences."

When is it appropriate to use "steer away from" instead of "avoid"?

"Steer away from" often implies a more deliberate and conscious effort to avoid something, whereas ""avoid"" can be more general. For instance, one might "steer away from" a risky business deal, but simply "avoid" a crowded place.