straying

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "straying" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the action of wandering away from or deviating from an accepted course. For example, "She was straying away from her usual routine when she decided to take an impromptu vacation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Bill Oddie has told the Radio Times that he wants to see children once again straying into gardens and orchards to scrump apples.

The Guardian - Opinion

Amy Walter, national editor of the Cook Political Report, said that while Clinton may currently be emphasizing issues that resonate with Democratic primary voters, there was no reason to think the words were not honestly come by, and the candidate did not seem to be straying outside her central political identity.

The Guardian

Prosecutor Daniel Noll argued that Obeid should be restricted from straying too close to airports and turn in his passport as he posed an "unacceptable risk" of fleeing the country before his next hearing, which was set down for 19 February.

The Guardian

Updike had just published his own "African novel", The Coup, and was coming under fire for straying into a landscape he could not understand.

The Guardian - Books

Onstage, she's relentlessly scathing about her own appearance, though without ever straying into self-pity, while her sketches exist in an unforgiving world where women are judged fiercely for their looks and behaviour and often humiliated as a result ("I'm kind of putting myself through living a nightmare," is how she describes it).

The Guardian - TV & Radio

In trousers that tight, anyone would want straying fingers to stay that extra inch away.

The Guardian - Books

We drive the scenic route through the Brecon Beacons, narrowly avoiding kamikaze sheep straying on to the road.

The Guardian - Travel

By Mourinho's standards, that is straying dangerously close to a climbdown but what a pity he had to wait until now before accepting he was wrong.

The Guardian - Sport

Hopefully, McQueen's formal precision will stop it straying into Amistad country.

The Guardian - Film

Just look where his fingers are straying.

The Guardian - Books

Indeed, in the build-up to the IOC vote, China applied unremitting pressure on the outlawed Falun Gong sect, and launched a crackdown on newspapers deemed to be straying from the party line.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "straying" to vividly describe a deviation from a norm, plan, or expected path. It adds a nuance of unintentional or gradual departure.

Common error

Avoid using "straying" simply to mean traveling or moving. "Straying" implies a departure from a set course or boundary, not just general movement.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "straying" is a present participle, often used as part of a continuous verb tense or as a gerund. As seen in Ludwig, it commonly modifies nouns or acts as the main verb, describing an ongoing action of deviating from a set path or standard.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "straying" is a grammatically sound present participle that describes the act of deviating or wandering from a set path or standard. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in various contexts. It is most frequently found in News & Media sources, where it often describes departures from norms or policies. The term has a neutral to formal register and can be effectively used to add nuance to descriptions of unintended or gradual divergence. When writing, remember that "straying" implies more than just general movement; it indicates a departure from a defined course. Consider alternatives like ""wandering off"" or "deviating from" based on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

straying away

An intensified version of straying, emphasizing the act of moving away.

wandering off

Implies a physical or metaphorical departure from a designated path or topic.

deviating from

Focuses on departing from a standard, rule, or expectation.

drifting away

Suggests a gradual and often unintentional movement away from something.

going off track

Suggests a deviation from a planned or intended route or method.

going astray

Implies a departure from correct behavior or moral principles.

veering off course

Indicates a change in direction, often unexpectedly or unintentionally.

digressing

Specifically refers to departing from the main topic in speech or writing.

departing from

A formal way of saying leaving or diverging from an established course.

diverging

Describes a separation or branching out from a common point or path.

FAQs

How can I use "straying" in a sentence?

You can use "straying" to describe someone or something that is wandering off course or deviating from an expected path. For example, "The hiker was punished for "wandering off" the trail and getting lost."

What are some alternatives to "straying"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "deviating from", ""wandering off"", or "going astray".

What does it mean when someone is "straying" from the party line?

It means they are diverging from the official policies or beliefs of a political party, often implying disagreement or rebellion.

Is "straying" typically used in formal or informal contexts?

"Straying" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it is often found in more formal writing or speech, particularly when discussing abstract concepts or policies. In informal contexts, simpler alternatives like ""wandering off"" might be preferred.