to escape

USAGE SUMMARY

"to escape" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an action or movement away from a difficult situation or a place. For example: "She decided to escape her old life and start anew."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

How to escape?

The Economist

I wanted to escape.

The New Yorker

Many failed to escape.

The Economist

There was nowhere to escape.

The New York Times

Anything to escape La Guardia.

The New York Times - Books

And she tries to escape.

The New York Times - Arts

The hostages managed to escape.

The New York Times

"Trying to escape," one said.

The New Yorker

To escape the imprisoned longing.

The New Yorker

"I'm trying to escape terrorism".

The New Yorker

So it's hard to escape.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to escape", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being escaped from. For instance, specify whether it's a physical location, a responsibility, or an abstract feeling.

Common error

Avoid using "to escape" when a simpler verb like "to avoid" or "to leave" would be more appropriate. Overusing "to escape" can make your writing sound dramatic when a more straightforward expression is sufficient.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "to escape" is as an infinitive verb, often used to express purpose or intention. Ludwig shows examples where it serves to describe the reason for an action, such as "She wanted to escape" or "Time to escape". The infinitive form allows it to function as a noun, adjective, or adverb within a sentence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Science

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to escape" is a versatile infinitive verb phrase used to express the act of getting free from an undesirable situation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use across diverse contexts, particularly in news and media. While "to escape" is widely applicable, it's important to consider whether simpler alternatives like "to avoid" or "to flee" might be more fitting, preventing overuse and maintaining clarity. Using "to escape" effectively involves specifying the object being escaped from to provide context and enhance understanding. This phrase is very common in News and Media, Wiki and Formal & Business. Top sources include The New York Times, The Guardian, The New Yorker, The Economist, and Independent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to get away

Focuses on the act of physically leaving or avoiding a place or situation.

to avoid

Emphasizes preventing something undesirable from happening or encountering someone.

to flee

Implies a hasty and often fearful departure from danger or an unpleasant situation.

to evade

Suggests skillfully avoiding detection or capture.

to break free

Highlights the effort and struggle involved in achieving freedom.

to get out

A more casual way of expressing the desire or action of leaving a place or situation.

to run away

Emphasizes the act of leaving a place or situation quickly, often due to fear or unhappiness.

to abscond

Implies leaving secretly and often illegally, especially to avoid prosecution.

to slip away

Suggests a discreet and unnoticed departure.

to make off

Means to leave quickly, often with something stolen.

FAQs

How can I use "to escape" in a sentence?

You can use "to escape" to indicate avoiding something, such as "She needed "to escape the city"" or "He tried "to escape responsibility"".

What are some alternatives to "to escape"?

Alternatives include "to avoid", "to flee", or "to evade", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to specify what one is escaping from?

While not always mandatory, specifying what is being escaped from usually provides clarity and context. For example, instead of just saying "He wanted to escape", specify "He wanted "to escape his past"".

What's the difference between "to escape" and "to avoid"?

"To escape" often implies a more active and potentially difficult effort to get away from something, whereas "to avoid" simply means to keep away from something. You might "to escape a prison", but you would "to avoid a crowd".