swerve aside

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "swerve aside" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the action of moving out of the way or avoiding something, often in a sudden or unexpected manner. Example: "As the car approached, the cyclist had to swerve aside to avoid a collision."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Through shield and cuirass it went, and tore the shirt by his flank, but Alexandrus swerved aside, and thus saved his life.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Time and again, whether in the symphonic flourishes of his dress-sense or in the choice of one note, Bowie perceived our expectations and swerved aside.

The New Yorker

The Bush team has to be willing, if Saddam swerves aside by accepting unconditional inspections, not to also swerve off the road, chase his car and crash into it anyway.

The New York Times

Ajax son of Telamon was more angry than any, for the man had fallen close be, him; so he aimed at Polydamas as he was retreating, but Polydamas saved himself by swerving aside and the spear struck Archelochus son of Antenor, for heaven counselled his destruction; it struck him where the head springs from the neck at the top joint of the spine, and severed both the tendons at the back of the head.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The car would swerve away.

Wikipedia

The new government swerved away from disaster.

The Economist

Violence hangs in the air – violence which can be swerved, or pushed aside to offer some unexpected transcendence, but is always there, hovering like the "thickets and thickets" of midges in the evening.

The Guardian - Books

Give and swerve.

The New York Times

You swerve; cue the expletives.

The New Yorker

The moods swerve too.

The New York Times - Arts

They always swerve.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "swerve aside" when you want to emphasize a sudden or unexpected movement to avoid an obstacle or danger. It suggests a quick, evasive action rather than a gradual change in direction.

Common error

Avoid using "swerve aside" in highly formal or academic writing where a more precise or sophisticated verb like "divert" or "deflect" might be more appropriate. "Swerve aside" can sometimes sound informal depending on the context.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "swerve aside" is as a phrasal verb. It describes the action of abruptly changing direction to avoid an obstacle or unwanted situation. Ludwig indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and appears in a variety of contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

50%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "swerve aside" is a grammatically sound phrasal verb that describes a sudden movement to avoid something, as validated by Ludwig. While relatively rare in occurrence, it maintains a presence in both news and academic sources. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. When writing, it's best to reserve "swerve aside" for situations that demand an active and unexpected avoidance maneuver. Consider more formal alternatives like "divert" or "evade" in professional or academic contexts to maintain an appropriate tone. Overall, use "swerve aside" when a direct, visceral sense of avoidance is desired, bearing in mind the audience and the level of formality required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

swerve to the side

Adds redundancy specifying the direction, whereas "swerve aside" already implies a lateral movement.

veer away

Implies a change in direction, similar to swerving, but can be less abrupt.

dodge

Emphasizes quickness and agility in avoiding something, often an impact.

move away

Focuses on the act of moving, but doesn't necessarily imply a sudden or evasive action.

evade

Highlights the attempt to escape or avoid something, potentially through cunning or skill.

step aside

Suggests a deliberate action of creating space, often to allow someone to pass.

deflect

Suggests turning something away from its intended course, either literally or figuratively.

divert

Implies changing the course or direction of something, often to achieve a different outcome.

ward off

Indicates preventing something from happening or approaching, often with a protective action.

turn away

A more general term for changing direction, without necessarily implying avoidance.

FAQs

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

You can use "swerve aside" to describe a sudden movement to avoid something, for example: "The cyclist had to swerve aside to avoid the opening car door."

What's a more formal alternative to "swerve aside"?

In formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "divert", "deflect", or "evade", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "swerve aside" the same as "swerve away"?

"Swerve aside" and "swerve away" are similar, but "swerve aside" emphasizes moving to the side, while "swerve away" is a general term for dodging or evading. The better choice depends on the context.

Can "swerve aside" be used figuratively?

Yes, "swerve aside" can be used figuratively to describe avoiding a difficult topic or situation. For instance, "He skillfully swerve aside any direct questions about his finances."