swear off

USAGE SUMMARY

'swear off' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe the act of refraining from something, often as a promise to oneself. For example, "I've sworn off caffeine for the month to improve my sleep."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Or swear off the home shows?

The New York Times

Sweden can swear off fad diets.

The Washington Post

Or is it time to swear off cunnilingus for good?

The Guardian - Film

I only thought I could swear off such indulgence.

The New York Times - Travel

He would swear off one, then swear off the other, but each was a part of his sensibility.

The New York Times - Books

"I developed a pre-ulcerative condition and my doctor made me swear off coffee.

The New Yorker

Still, Halperin has tried to swear off caffeine, which he considers poison.

The New Yorker

So before you swear off real estate, reconsider a few of the basics.

The New York Times

Mr. Cabonargi said he would not swear off donations from lawyers who represent property tax appellants.

The New York Times

Medical device and biotechnology companies have yet to swear off free trips or even pens.

The New York Times - Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Be prepared to swear-off instant rice.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "swear off" to indicate a firm decision to abstain from something, often with a sense of commitment or resolution. For example, "After the health scare, he decided to "swear off" processed foods."

Common error

Avoid using "swear off" for temporary or casual abstentions. It implies a more serious and lasting decision, so choose a different phrase if the intention is not long-term.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "swear off" functions as a phrasal verb, indicating a firm decision to abstain or renounce something. It's often used to express a commitment to avoid a particular habit or substance, as supported by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "swear off" is a frequently used phrasal verb that expresses a strong decision to abstain from something. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media. It conveys a firm commitment, making it distinct from milder terms like "reduce" or "cut back". The phrase's register is generally neutral, fitting both formal and informal settings. The prevalence of examples from authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its widespread acceptance and usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

give up

Indicates stopping an activity or habit, broader than a formal promise.

abstain from

Implies a conscious and voluntary restraint from something, often with a moral or health-related reason.

renounce

Suggests a formal rejection or abandonment of a belief, practice, or claim.

forgo

Means to do without or give up something desirable.

quit

Signifies ceasing an action or habit, often abruptly.

desist from

A formal way of saying to stop doing something.

refrain from

To hold oneself back from doing something.

turn away from

Indicates a change in direction or focus, abandoning a previous path or belief.

have nothing to do with

Indicates a complete avoidance or disassociation from something.

discontinue

Means to stop doing or providing something, often in a formal or official context.

FAQs

How to use "swear off" in a sentence?

You can use "swear off" to express a firm decision to abstain from something. For example, "I'm going to "swear off social media" for a week" or "She decided to "swear off sugar" after reading about its negative effects".

What can I say instead of "swear off"?

You can use alternatives like "give up", "abstain from", or "renounce" depending on the context and the level of formality you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "swore off"?

Yes, "swore off" is the past tense of "swear off". For example, "He "swore off alcohol" after his doctor warned him about his liver".

What's the difference between "swear off" and "cut back on"?

"Swear off" implies a complete cessation of something, while "cut back on" means reducing the amount or frequency but not eliminating it entirely. For instance, you might "swear off" smoking but only "cut back on" coffee.