thin away

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "thin away" is not correct and not commonly used in written English.
It may be intended to convey the idea of something gradually diminishing or disappearing, but it is not a standard expression. Example: "As the sun set, the light began to thin away, leaving the sky dark."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

They watched as the frothy secretion began to thin away, the beads of moisture winking out, one by one, until, slowly & weakly on its unformed legs, a pale sickly-yellow aphis crawled out.

The New Yorker

The publishing industry crumbles apace, the print media's book review sections thin away and, as a result, some terrifically readable and important books fall by the wayside unnoticed.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Yet over the past two years some of the opacity has thinned away: The public backlash last year over the financing of the Chinese stadium complex in Vientiane was considered by many as a milestone in public dissent toward the traditionally autocratic government.

The New York Times

Levees have a distinctive wedge shaped morphology, thinning away from the channel, and confine both channels (internal levees) and channel-belts (external levees).

Sedimentary Geology

The vertical thickness variations of the dykes and wings are more complex, as thinning away from the sand sources is often compensated by thickening toward the palaeo surface.

Journal of Structural Geology

Keep the paint thinner away from pets or children if leaving it out to dry.

WikiHow

The cheapest type of tape that you can purchase is made of vinyl, whose strips are thinned away from bigger manufactured sheets.

WikiHow

The legs are thin and become more slender away from the body.

Wikipedia

Dip a makeup sponge in acetone and use it to lightly rub away and thin out the white polish.

WikiHow

If this happens, don't worry — you can fix this by simply digging up some of the rhizomes and replanting them farther away to "thin out" your flowers.

WikiHow

Sills and dykes thin laterally away from their potential sand sources and thin laterally away from them.

Journal of Structural Geology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Opt for established alternatives like "fade away" or "dwindle down" for clarity and better acceptance in formal writing.

Common error

While "thin away" might seem intuitive, it's not a standard expression. Using it can make your writing sound unnatural or unclear to native English speakers. Instead, consider more common alternatives to ensure your message is easily understood.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thin away" functions as a phrasal verb, attempting to describe a process of gradual reduction or disappearance. However, as pointed out by Ludwig, it is not a standard or commonly used expression in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "thin away" is an uncommon and grammatically questionable expression in English. According to Ludwig AI, it's not a standard phrase and better alternatives like "fade away" or "dwindle down" are recommended. While Ludwig's examples show its usage in various contexts, its limited frequency and lack of widespread acceptance make it advisable to avoid this phrase in formal writing. Authoritative sources such as The New York Times and The New Yorker have examples, but this does not validate the correctness of the phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fade away

This alternative is a more common and grammatically standard way to express gradual disappearance or weakening.

dwindle away

This emphasizes a gradual reduction in size, number, or strength until very little remains.

dissipate

Implies scattering or vanishing, often used for things like clouds or energy.

gradually disappear

This phrase clarifies the diminishing process over time.

become less

A simpler and more direct way to express a reduction in quantity or intensity.

shrink away

Suggests a reduction in size, often due to fear or reluctance.

recede

Implies moving back or away, often used for water or hairlines.

lose substance

Highlights the loss of material or essential qualities.

peter out

Suggests a gradual decline to nothing, often used for resources or efforts.

ebb away

Similar to 'fade away' but often used in contexts of emotions, strength, or intensity.

FAQs

What does "thin away" mean?

The phrase "thin away" is not a standard English expression and lacks a clearly defined meaning. It could be interpreted as something gradually diminishing or disappearing, but it's best to use clearer alternatives.

What can I say instead of "thin away"?

You can use alternatives like "fade away", "dwindle down", or "gradually disappear" depending on the context.

Is "thin away" grammatically correct?

No, "thin away" is not considered grammatically correct or standard English. It's better to use more established phrases to convey your intended meaning.

When is it appropriate to use "thin away"?

Given that "thin away" is not a standard or widely accepted phrase, it's generally not appropriate for formal or professional writing. Opt for clearer and more common alternatives in most contexts.