we drifted apart

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we drifted apart" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where two people or groups have become less close or have lost their connection over time. Example: "After years of friendship, we drifted apart when our lives took different paths."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

We drifted apart.

The New York Times

I'm sorry that we drifted apart, Richie.

The New York Times

But as teenagers we drifted apart.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We drifted apart and got it together.

The Guardian - Opinion

We dated on and off through college, but after graduation, we drifted apart.

Princeton University

Paul was one of my best friends in high school, but we drifted apart after graduation.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

If an event like the World Cup can bring so many of us together, why do we drift apart as soon as it is over?

The Guardian - Opinion

"Cold, Cold Heart" identifies the paradox ("The more I care for you, the more we drift apart"), and then gently recounts the impossibility of trying to conquer that kind of rival.

The New Yorker

— and so we drift apart and the thought of the other person arouses a slight bitterness or guilt, depending on who's who at this point, and when the topic of the other person comes up we grit our teeth and say, 'Yeah, I know him,' or, 'Yeah, I know her' — and all that for a few fucks that aren't even very good, because we're drunk and hardly know each other and aren't all that into it anyway".

The New Yorker

It looks at the ideas of why we drift apart and why people leave," she told the BBC.

BBC

Did we drift apart?

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we drifted apart" to describe a gradual and often unintentional separation. It softens the impact of a breakup or fading friendship by suggesting a lack of deliberate action.

Common error

Avoid using "we drifted apart" when describing a sudden or contentious split. This phrase implies a gradual fading, not a sharp break. For sudden endings, consider phrases like "we broke up" or "we had a falling out".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we drifted apart" functions as an idiom used to describe the gradual dissolution of a relationship, friendship, or connection between individuals or entities. It implies a lack of a specific event causing the separation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the expression is grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

14%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we drifted apart" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe a gradual separation between people or entities. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples across various contexts. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media, but also appears in academic writing and general online content. While the phrase implies a gentle and unintentional separation, it shouldn't be used to describe sudden or contentious breakups. Semantically related alternatives include "we grew apart" and "we lost touch". This guide offers insights into the phrase's nuances, usage patterns, and potential pitfalls, ensuring effective and accurate communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we grew apart

Focuses on the gradual nature of the separation, similar to the original phrase.

we lost touch

Highlights the decrease in communication and connection.

we became estranged

Suggests a more formal or significant separation.

we separated

A more direct term for physical or emotional division.

we went our separate ways

Emphasizes the divergence of paths or goals.

we disconnected

Focuses on the loss of emotional or intellectual connection.

we diverged

Highlights the difference in opinions or paths.

we fell out of contact

Similar to losing touch, but slightly more formal.

our paths diverged

Emphasizes the different directions taken in life.

distance grew between us

Highlights the increasing emotional or physical distance.

FAQs

What does it mean when someone says "we drifted apart"?

Saying "we drifted apart" typically means that two people gradually grew distant from each other over time, often without a specific event causing the separation. It suggests a slow fading of connection.

How to use "we drifted apart" in a sentence?

You can use "we drifted apart" to describe a past relationship or friendship. For example: "After high school, "we drifted apart" as our lives took different directions."

What can I say instead of "we drifted apart"?

You can use alternatives like "we grew apart", "we lost touch", or "we became estranged" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "we drifted apart" or "we broke up"?

"We drifted apart" suggests a gradual separation, while "we broke up" implies a more definitive and potentially more emotional ending. The best phrase depends on the actual circumstances of the separation.