What Does “Move away from sth” Mean?
“Move away from sth” means to physically or figuratively go farther from something or to stop supporting or using something.
Introduction
The phrase “move away from sth” is a common phrasal verb in English that can be used in different contexts. It generally means to leave a place or distance yourself from a particular thing or idea. This can be a physical movement, like stepping away from an object, or a more abstract change, such as changing opinions or habits. Understanding the move away from sth meaning helps learners use this phrase naturally in conversations and writing. It is useful in everyday speech when talking about changes, avoiding situations, or simply describing physical movement.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: move away from sth (move away from something)
- Type: Intransitive (with a preposition)
- Level: A2–B2
- Meaning: To physically or mentally distance oneself from something
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Move away from sth” is an inseparable phrasal verb followed by the preposition “from.” You cannot separate “move away” and “from.” The pattern is always:
- Subject + move(s) away from + object
Examples:
- She moved away from the window.
- They are moving away from old traditions.
How to Use “Move away from sth”?
You use “move away from sth” when talking about physically distancing yourself from a place or object, or when changing your opinion, belief, or habit. It often implies a deliberate action to create space or separation.
Examples of physical use:
- Please move away from the door so others can enter.
- The child moved away from the loud noise.
Examples of figurative use:
- The company is moving away from outdated technology.
- She moved away from negative thinking to a more positive mindset.
Examples
Here are some natural sentences using “move away from sth in a sentence”:
- John decided to move away from his hometown to find better job opportunities.
- The government is moving away from fossil fuels towards renewable energy.
- During the fire drill, everyone moved away from the building quickly.
- We need to move away from old habits if we want to improve our health.
Common Mistakes
People often confuse “move away from sth” with other similar phrases or separate the phrasal verb incorrectly.
- Incorrect: She moved the chair away from.
- Correct: She moved away from the chair.
- Incorrect: They move from away the problem.
- Correct: They moved away from the problem.
Remember, “move away from” stays together and is followed by the object.
Differences / Synonyms
Sometimes, learners confuse “move away from sth” with “move off sth” or “step away from sth.”
- Move off sth: Usually means to physically leave a surface or place (e.g., “Please move off the grass”).
- Step away from sth: Often used for smaller, shorter movements, like stepping back from danger or something unpleasant.
- Move away from sth: Can be physical or figurative, often implying a more permanent or significant distancing.
Choose “move away from” when you want to express deliberate distancing, especially in a broader or longer-term sense.
Common Collocations
Here are common objects or ideas used with “move away from”:
- Move away from the city: Leaving an urban area for somewhere else.
- Move away from danger: Physically distancing yourself from a threat.
- Move away from a habit: Changing or stopping a behavior.
- Move away from tradition: Changing long-held beliefs or customs.
- Move away from a problem: Avoiding or distancing yourself from an issue.
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of move away from sth:
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a short conversation using “move away from sth”:
Anna: The noise is too loud. Can we move away from the speakers?
Ben: Sure, let’s find a quieter spot.
Anna: Also, I think we should move away from the old plan and try something new.
Ben: I agree. It’s time for a change.
Practice
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of “move away from”:
- She decided to _________ her hometown to study abroad.
- Please _________ the fire immediately.
- The company is _________ outdated policies.
- It’s healthy to _________ bad habits.
Answers:
- move away from
- move away from
- moving away from
- move away from
FAQs
- Q: Is “move away from” separable?
No, “move away from” is inseparable and must stay together.
- Q: Can “move away from” be used figuratively?
Yes, it can describe changing ideas, habits, or opinions.
- Q: What is the difference between “move away from” and “step away from”?
“Step away from” usually means a short physical movement, while “move away from” can be physical or figurative and often implies more distance.
- Q: Can “move away from” be used in the past tense?
Yes, for example, “She moved away from her old job.”
- Q: Is “sth” a word?
“Sth” is an abbreviation for “something,” used in dictionaries and learning materials.
