What Does โMove away from sthโ Mean?
โMove away from sthโ means to physically or figuratively go farther from something or to stop supporting or using something.
Introduction
The phrase โmove away from sthโ 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: A2โB2
- Meaning: To physically or mentally distance oneself from something
Structure (Grammar Rules)
โMove away from sthโ is an inseparable phrasal verb followed by the preposition โfrom.โ You cannot separate โmove awayโ and โfrom.โ 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 โMove away from sthโ?
You use โmove away from sthโ 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- The company is moving away from outdated technology.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 โmove away from sth in a sentenceโ:
- 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 โmove away from sthโ 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, โmove away fromโ stays together and is followed by the object.
Differences / Synonyms
Sometimes, learners confuse โmove away from sthโ with โmove off sthโ or โstep away from sth.โ
- Move off sth: Usually means to physically leave a surface or place (e.g., โPlease move off the grassโ).
- 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 โmove away fromโ 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 โmove away fromโ:
- 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 โmove away from sthโ:
Anna: The noise is too loud. Can we move away from the speakers?
Ben: Sure, letโs find a quieter spot.
Anna: Also, I think we should move away from the old plan and try something new.
Ben: I agree. Itโs time for a change.
Practice
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of โmove away fromโ:
- She decided to _________ her hometown to study abroad.
- Please _________ the fire immediately.
- The company is _________ outdated policies.
- Itโs healthy to _________ bad habits.
Answers:
- move away from
- move away from
- moving away from
- move away from
FAQs
- Q: Is โmove away fromโ separable?
No, โmove away fromโ is inseparable and must stay together.
- Q: Can โmove away fromโ be used figuratively?
Yes, it can describe changing ideas, habits, or opinions.
- Q: What is the difference between โmove away fromโ and โstep away fromโ?
โStep away fromโ usually means a short physical movement, while โmove away fromโ can be physical or figurative and often implies more distance.
- Q: Can โmove away fromโ be used in the past tense?
Yes, for example, โShe moved away from her old job.โ
- Q: Is โsthโ a word?
โSthโ is an abbreviation for โsomething,โ used in dictionaries and learning materials.
