wean away

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wean away" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing the process of gradually reducing dependence on something or someone. Example: "The therapist helped her wean away from her unhealthy coping mechanisms over time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The goal is not only to immobilise terrorists but also to wean away the sympathisers who shelter them.

The Economist

"We feel like they would wean away, but the last two visits we could see Casey is wanting to come more".

The New York Times

This would wean away the region from too much reliance on donors that normally arrive after the critical period of search and rescue phase and comes in with their own philosophies and approaches.

Global Health Action

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

There was no time for a gradual weaning away from the flesh; an immediate and drastic approach was necessary.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Yet the students are keen, and parents relieved to see their offspring weaned away from their unknowable online lives.

Independent

Meat may or may not be essential for human nutrition, but it is unlikely that the population can be weaned away from its use.

The New York Times

Instead, McAllen and other cities like it have to be weaned away from their untenably fragmented, quantity-driven systems of health care, step by step.

The New Yorker

If Jamaica is to develop in a smart fashion, the report says, "a significant portion of residents will have to be weaned away from 50 years of automobile dependency".

The New York Times

But leaders of commerce and government need to be weaned away from the bottom-line, easy-answer mode of conducting business, and their responsibility should extend far beyond shareholder value or a personal agenda.

The New York Times

There is therefore a huge need for a change of attitudes across society starting, with how families regard and protect their women and how old traditional societies can be weaned away from male domination.

Independent

The cultural tone was set by the arts minister Richard Luce, who declared that many in the arts world had "yet to be weaned away from the welfare-state mentality" and that "the only test of our ability to succeed is whether we can attract enough customers".

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "wean away", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being reduced or eliminated and what the subject is transitioning away from. This makes the sentence more precise and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "wean away" when describing an immediate or abrupt cessation. The phrase implies a gradual process, so using it in contexts requiring instant change would be inaccurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "wean away" functions as a verb of process, indicating a gradual reduction or elimination of dependence on something. As shown in Ludwig, the phrase often accompanies actions aimed at changing habits or dependencies.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "wean away" is a phrasal verb used to describe a gradual process of reducing or eliminating dependence. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, although its usage is relatively rare. It's most frequently found in news and media and scientific contexts. When writing, ensure you emphasize the gradual nature of the change and specify what is being distanced from. Related phrases include "detach from" and "gradually reduce reliance on", offering alternative ways to express the concept of diminishing dependence. Avoid using "wean away" to describe immediate changes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gradually reduce reliance on

Directly addresses the act of lessening dependence over time, highlighting the gradual nature of the transition.

detach from

Implies a separation or disconnection from something, focusing on the removal of a bond or attachment.

ease off from

Suggests a slow and gentle reduction in pressure or involvement, highlighting the comfort and smoothness of the transition.

dissuade from

Focuses on convincing someone not to do something, moving them away from a particular course of action or belief.

draw away from

Implies a gradual movement away, often due to attraction towards something else.

divert from

Suggests redirecting attention or resources away from something, often towards an alternative.

free from

Highlights the liberation or release from something restrictive or burdensome.

extract from

Emphasizes the removal of something, like an idea or resource, from a larger entity or source.

break the habit of

Focuses on ending a habitual behavior, emphasizing the cessation of a repeated action.

rehabilitate from

Specifies a process of recovery and restoration, moving away from a state of dependence or dysfunction.

FAQs

How can I use "wean away" in a sentence?

Use "wean away" to describe a gradual reduction or elimination of dependence. For instance, "The program aims to "wean the country away from fossil fuels"".

What phrases are similar to "wean away"?

Alternatives include "detach from", "dissuade from", or "gradually reduce reliance on", each suggesting a different aspect of reducing dependence.

Is "wean away from" or "wean off of" grammatically correct?

"Wean away from" is generally preferred in formal writing to describe a gradual distancing. "Wean off of" is more colloquial. Using "wean off" is also correct.

What is the difference between "wean away" and "deter"?

"Wean away" implies a gradual reduction of dependence, while "deter" suggests preventing someone from starting something. For example, you might "wean someone away" from an old habit, but "deter" them from starting a new one.