stray away from

USAGE SUMMARY

'stray away from' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to indicate avoidance of a person, place, or thing. For example: "I wanted to stray away from the typical tourist spots and see something local."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

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

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

Forbes

If they're going to stray away from the sequential G naming scheme, "Genius" isn't too shabby.

TechCrunch

That's why many people stray away from sleazy dating apps like Bang With Friends that try to match you via your social graph.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "stray away from" to suggest a deliberate choice to avoid something, whether due to preference, caution, or a change in direction. It often carries a softer connotation than alternatives like "deviate" or "eschew".

Common error

Avoid using "stray away from" when a stronger term like "abandon" or "reject" is more appropriate. The phrase implies a gentle or gradual movement away, not necessarily a complete and forceful rejection.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stray away from" functions as a phrasal verb that typically introduces an element of avoidance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's commonly used to describe the act of moving away or diverging from a path, topic, or behavior. It conveys a sense of drifting or choosing not to adhere to something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Wiki

22%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "stray away from" is a versatile phrasal verb used to describe the act of avoiding or diverging from something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media and Wiki sources, the phrase carries a neutral register, making it appropriate for both formal and informal communication. When writing, remember that "stray away from" implies a deliberate choice to avoid, not necessarily a complete rejection. Consider using alternatives like "deviate from" or "veer away from" depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deviate from

Focuses on the act of diverging or departing from an established course or standard.

veer away from

Emphasizes a sudden change in direction to avoid something.

depart from

Highlights a formal or significant move away from something.

move away from

Indicates a gradual shift or distancing from something.

turn away from

Suggests a conscious decision to reject or abandon something.

shy away from

Implies reluctance or hesitation in approaching something.

recoil from

Emphasizes a strong negative reaction and withdrawal from something.

eschew

Highlights a deliberate and principled avoidance of something.

abstain from

Focuses on refraining from or withholding oneself from something, often for moral or health reasons.

evade

Suggests cleverly avoiding something undesirable or difficult.

FAQs

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

You can use "stray away from" to indicate avoiding something. For instance, "The movie tends to "stray away from" predictable plot lines."

What are some alternatives to "stray away from"?

Alternatives include "deviate from", "veer away from", or "depart from", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "stray away from" or should I use a different phrase?

"Stray away from" is a correct and commonly used phrase. Its suitability depends on the context, but it's generally acceptable in many situations where you want to express avoidance or deviation.

What's the difference between "stray away from" and "deviate from"?

"Deviate from" implies a more formal or significant departure from a norm or standard, while "stray away from" suggests a more casual or unintentional avoidance. You "deviate from" a plan, but you might "stray away from" a conversation topic.