stood aside

USAGE SUMMARY

"stood aside" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to physically move or step out of the way to make room for someone or something. Example: As the royal procession passed by, the crowds respectfully stood aside to allow the carriage to make its way through the streets.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

No one even "stood aside".

Independent

Otherwise, he stood aside.

The Washington Post

The police mainly stood aside.

The New York Times - Books

He pushed it open and stood aside.

The New Yorker

Two weeks later, North stood aside.

The Guardian

"I think he should be stood aside.

The Guardian - Sport

China and India have more or less stood aside.

The Economist

Meanwhile, the markets from which we stood aside have surged.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The three officers have been stood aside from operational duties".

The Guardian

They stood aside and allowed Reggina to equalize, unopposed.

The New York Times - Sports

Whoever was around stood aside, and stood still.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "stood aside" to describe a physical action, ensure the context clearly indicates what the subject is standing aside for, whether it's a person, object, or event. For example, "The usher stood aside to let the patrons enter."

Common error

Avoid using "stood aside" solely in a literal, physical sense if the intended meaning is metaphorical. If you mean someone declined to take action, consider alternatives like "refrained from acting" or "declined to intervene".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "stood aside" is that of a verb phrase, typically used as the main verb in a clause. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

12%

Science

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "stood aside" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase that is used both literally and figuratively, as confirmed by Ludwig. It appears most commonly in news and media contexts, but is also found in academic and scientific writing. To ensure clarity, writers should consider the context to specify whether the phrase refers to a physical action or a decision not to intervene. The related phrases, such as "yielded" and "withdrew", offer alternative ways to express similar meanings. This guide offers best practices and common errors to avoid when using "stood aside" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

yielded

Implies giving way or surrendering a position or right.

withdrew

Suggests retreating or pulling back from involvement or contention.

gave way

Implies yielding under pressure or allowing someone else to proceed.

relinquished

Highlights the act of voluntarily giving up something, often a position or claim.

stepped down

Indicates resigning or leaving a position, typically of authority or responsibility.

took a backseat

Signifies assuming a less prominent or influential role.

made room

Indicates creating space for someone or something, either physically or figuratively.

left the way open

Means to provide the opportunity or means for something to happen by not obstructing it.

bowed out

Suggests a formal or graceful exit from a situation or competition.

abstained

Highlights refraining from participating in a decision or action.

FAQs

What does "stood aside" mean?

"Stood aside" can have a literal meaning, indicating someone physically moved out of the way, or a figurative meaning, suggesting someone chose not to participate or intervene in a situation. The specific meaning is context-dependent.

How can I use "stood aside" in a sentence?

You can use "stood aside" to describe a physical action, such as "The guard "stood aside" to allow the car to pass", or a figurative one, such as "The CEO "stood aside" and allowed the new team to lead the project".

Which is correct, "stood aside" or "standed aside"?

"Stood aside" is the correct past tense form. "Standed aside" is grammatically incorrect.

What are some alternatives to "stood aside"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "stood aside" include "yielded", "withdrew", or "relinquished".