stray away

USAGE SUMMARY

"stray away" is a valid expression in written English and is used to mean to wander off or go astray.
You can use it in a sentence like, "I was late for work because I strayed away from my usual route."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

If I stray away too far from you, don't go and try to find me.

The New Yorker

The anchors used their interviews to stray away from climate change.

The Guardian

At rare intervals, the private life of ancient Egyptians and the feelings that they experienced moved artists to stray away from the beaten path.

The New York Times - Arts

The Sleeper and the Spindle isn't the first retelling to stray away from the "boy-kisses-girl" bias of traditional fairytales.

The Guardian - Books

There are more than 100 works in this show, yet somehow it still manages to stray away from the very odd character of her work.

The Guardian - Arts

Taken together, his remarks suggested that he would resist the push of polls or politicians to stray away from what is, in effect, a Rose Garden strategy.

The New York Times

Clearly, the Bush administration is happy to support those commanders on the ground who back its policies but if they stray away from that it's curtains.

The Guardian - Opinion

By 1984, however, "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom", the only one of the ten plays to stray away from Pittsburgh, had been put on at the Yale Repertory Theatre and then Broadway.

The Economist

I discovered that if the values of a prize are not frequently invoked, it is easy to stray away from them, and from recognising the best book out of the bunch.

Independent

"I do hate to see some teams stray away".

Forbes

"There's a general feeling that, if in doubt, stray away from putting on any restrictions".

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "stray away" to describe a deviation from a set path, plan, or standard. For example: 'The discussion began to "stray away" from the main topic.'

Common error

While "stray away" can imply a literal departure, it's more fitting for describing a shift in topic, behavior, or adherence to a rule, rather than simply moving away from a location.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "stray away" functions primarily as an intransitive verb, indicating a subject's act of deviating or wandering from a particular path, topic, or set of rules. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is valid and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "stray away" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrasal verb that signifies a deviation or wandering from a designated path, topic, or standard. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and prevalent usage. Its versatility allows it to be applied in various contexts, from news and media to wikis and scientific publications. While it is generally appropriate for diverse settings, it's best to reserve its usage for describing a metaphorical shift rather than literal physical distance. Alternatives like "wander off" or "deviate from" can be considered depending on the desired emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

go astray

Suggests a loss of direction or moral compass.

wander off

Focuses on the act of deviating from a path or direction.

shy away from

Indicates a reluctance or avoidance of something.

drift away

Implies a gradual and unintentional departure or separation.

veer off course

Emphasizes a change in direction from a planned route or intention.

deviate from

Highlights a departure from an established rule, standard, or plan.

break away from

Focuses on the act of separating oneself from a group or constraint.

diverge from

Similar to 'deviate', but can also imply a more significant or permanent separation.

depart from

Suggests a formal or official departure from a place or plan.

turn aside

Emphasizes a deliberate movement away from something.

FAQs

How can I use "stray away" in a sentence?

"Stray away" is a phrasal verb that means to deviate or wander from a path, topic, or expected behavior. For example: "The conversation began to "stray away" from the original subject."

What does it mean to "stray away"?

To "stray away" means to deviate, wander off, or depart from a specified course, topic, or behavior. It often implies a gradual or unintentional movement away from something.

What can I say instead of "stray away"?

You can use alternatives like "wander off", "drift away", or "deviate from" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "stray away" or "deviate from"?

Both "stray away" and "deviate from" are correct, but "stray away" often implies a more gradual or unintentional departure, while "deviate from" can suggest a more deliberate or formal departure.