What are the definitions of “wander off”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Leave a place, usually without telling other people.
She WANDERED OFF and got lost in the crowd.
- 2Stop paying attention.
The lecture was boring and my mind WANDERED OFF after ten minutes.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “wander off”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb wander off is to leave a place, often without telling others or without a specific purpose. It can also mean to stop paying attention to something, such as during a conversation or a lecture.
What are the different verb forms of “wander off”?
| Root Verb | wander off |
| Third Person Singular Present | wanders off |
| Present Participle | wandering off |
| Simple Past | wandered off |
| Past Participle | wandered off |
Example
The child wandered off while his parents were shopping.
Example
She often wanders off during long meetings.
Example
He is wandering off again, daydreaming instead of focusing on his work.
Example
Yesterday, the dog wandered off and we had to search for hours to find him.
Example
He had wandered off so many times that his friends started to worry about him.
What kind of phrasal verb is “wander off”?
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a transitive and intransitive verb? - A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.) - An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)
Intransitive verb
“wander off” is an intransitive phrasal verb because it doesn't require an object to complete its meaning. It forms a complete sentence without an object.
Example
She wandered off during the party.
Example
My mind wandered off during the lecture.
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb? - A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle. - An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.
Inseparable
“wander off” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.
Example
She wandered off during the party.
Example
My mind wandered off during the lecture.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “wander off”?
Good things to know
Does “wander off” have an informal or formal tone?
Wander off is a neutral phrasal verb that can be used in both informal and formal situations. It is commonly used in everyday conversations and can also be used in more formal settings, depending on the context.
