turn aside from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "turn aside from" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating a decision to avoid or not engage with something, such as a topic, path, or behavior. Example: "Despite the challenges, she chose not to turn aside from her principles."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

In the late 18th century librettists began to turn aside from mythology and antiquity.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Genghis Khan himself was compelled to turn aside from China and carry out the conquest of Khwārezm.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The pause that enabled Kristen Stewart to turn aside from the microphone, though not aside enough, and cough in spluttery fear over her shoulder?

The New Yorker

Roth's message has a deadly clarity: if you know what's right and you turn aside from it, you will never fully recover.

The Guardian - Books

The paper concludes by asserting that if we turn aside from our responsibility to challenge the epistemological basis of contemporary risk assessment and management we may find that our social, political and economic landscape has changed without our consent.

Accounting, Management and Information Technologies

Kapadia, as befits the maker of a film about motor racing, understands all too well how hard it is to turn aside from the spectacle of those who crash and burn.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

He turned aside from that too.

The New York Times

It asks us to take seriously the idea of evil, and of redemption and turning aside from evil.

The Guardian - Film

We had the sincere sympathy of Great Britain, France and Russia but we have turned aside from them and thrown ourselves into the arms of Germany".

The New York Times

Turning aside from criminal law, Alan M. Dershowitz has written a thoughtful, provocative book about the violence and trickery that run through the Book of Genesis.

The New York Times - Books

You can say, "It shows us all it's never too late", as the choreographer Chris Tudor did, briefly turning aside from his work on the company's latest dance piece.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "turn aside from" to indicate a conscious decision to avoid a particular course of action, topic, or belief. This phrase often implies a moral or ethical consideration behind the decision.

Common error

Avoid using "turn aside from" when simply meaning to change direction physically. The phrase carries a stronger connotation of deliberate avoidance, often for ethical or moral reasons.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "turn aside from" functions as a verb phrase, indicating a deliberate action of avoiding or deviating from a particular course, topic, or belief. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness for use in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "turn aside from" is a grammatically sound and usable expression indicating a deliberate avoidance or deviation, often prompted by moral or ethical considerations. While not exceedingly common, Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and it appears across varied contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedic sources. Consider alternatives like "deviate from" or "stray from" to fine-tune the nuance of your writing, but be mindful of the connotation of conscious and principled avoidance that "turn aside from" inherently carries.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deviate from

Indicates a departure from a standard, principle, or expectation.

stray from

Suggests a wandering or unintentional departure from a path or principle.

diverge from

Implies a branching off or moving in a different direction.

recoil from

Highlights a strong aversion or repulsion.

shrink from

Suggests hesitation or unwillingness to face something.

eschew

Implies a deliberate avoidance of something, often for moral or aesthetic reasons.

shun

Indicates a persistent avoidance, often due to disapproval.

abandon

Suggests a complete desertion or relinquishment.

forsake

Implies a formal or solemn renunciation.

renounce

Indicates a formal rejection or disavowal.

FAQs

How can I use "turn aside from" in a sentence?

You can use "turn aside from" to describe someone avoiding a specific path, topic, or belief, often with a moral or ethical consideration. For example, "She chose to turn aside from the path of corruption."

What are some alternatives to "turn aside from"?

Alternatives to "turn aside from" include "deviate from", "stray from", or "diverge from", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "turn aside from" or "deviate from"?

"Turn aside from" and "deviate from" are both relatively formal, but "deviate from" might be slightly more common in formal writing, especially in academic or scientific contexts.

What is the difference between "turn aside from" and "ignore"?

"Turn aside from" suggests a conscious decision to avoid something, often with a moral or ethical reason. "Ignore", on the other hand, simply means to pay no attention to something, without necessarily implying a deliberate choice or underlying motive.