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Phrasal verbs "move away" vs "move towards"

Differences between move away and move towards

Move away means to go or put something farther from a particular place or person, while move towards means to go or put something closer to a particular place or person.

Meanings and Definitions: move away vs move towards

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Move away

  • 1Leave the area where you have been living.

    I MOVED AWAY when the factory shut down.

Move towards

  • 1Make preparations for something.

    The government are MOVING TOWARDS free elections.

Usage Examples: move away, move towards in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

move away

Example

They plan to move away from the city next year.

Example

She moves away from her hometown to start a new life.

move towards

Example

We are moving towards a more sustainable future.

Example

She moves towards her goals with determination.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Move away

leave behind

To abandon or forsake someone or something.

Example

She had to leave behind her hometown and move to the city for work.

withdraw from

To remove oneself or something from a particular situation or group.

Example

He decided to withdraw from the project due to personal reasons.

retreat from

To move back or away from a particular place or situation.

Example

The soldiers were ordered to retreat from the battlefield due to heavy enemy fire.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Move towards

make progress

To advance or improve in a particular area or situation.

Example

She worked hard to make progress in her studies and eventually got accepted into a prestigious university.

approach

To move closer to someone or something.

Example

He slowly approached the wild animal, hoping not to startle it.

work towards

To make an effort to achieve a particular goal or objective.

Example

The team decided to work towards a common goal of reducing waste and increasing sustainability in their workplace.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “move”

Differences in move away vs move towards: Usage, Formality, and Tone

Frequency in Daily Use: move away or move towards?

Both phrases are commonly used in daily conversations. However, move towards is more frequently used than move away. This is because move towards is used in various situations such as approaching someone, making progress, or achieving a goal. On the other hand, move away is used mainly when we talk about leaving a place or distancing oneself from someone or something.

Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of move away and move towards

Move away and move towards are not formal phrases. They are suitable for everyday interactions with friends and family. However, in more formal settings like business or academic contexts, using alternative expressions can convey a more professional tone.

Tone and Implication: The Nuances of move away and move towards

The tone of move away and move towards can differ based on context. Move away often carries a negative or sad tone when related to leaving a place or breaking up with someone, while move towards typically has a positive and determined tone, especially when referring to achieving a goal or making progress.

move away & move towards: Synonyms and Antonyms

Move away

Antonyms

Move towards

Antonyms

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