Meaning & use
swerving
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“swerving” is a form of “swerve”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
verbintransitive
Suddenly changing direction away from a straight path, usually to avoid hitting something.
Grammar: No object; often followed by a direction word: swerving to the left, swerving around a hole.
Patterns
- swerving to avoid something
- swerving around something
- swerving off the road
The cyclist kept swerving around potholes on the narrow road.
I saw a deer and ended up swerving into the next lane.
The car was swerving from side to side before it finally stopped.
verbintransitivefigurative
Moving away from a plan, topic or course of action in a sudden way.
Grammar: Often figurative and followed by away from or into: swerving away from the subject.
Patterns
- swerving away from something
- swerving into something
The conversation kept swerving away from the real issue.
The film is swerving between comedy and tragedy so quickly that it feels uneven.
Word forms
| base form | swerve |
|---|---|
| third person singular | swerves |
| past tense | swerved |
| past participle | swerved |
Common combinations
- swerving to avoid
- The driver was swerving to avoid a fallen branch.
- swerving across the road
- A van was swerving across the road in the heavy rain.
- swerving out of control
- The truck was swerving out of control on the icy hill.
- swerving wildly
- He saw a bike swerving wildly toward him.
- swerving between lanes
- Police stopped a car that was swerving between lanes.
Synonyms and how they differ
- veering
- Veering is a change of direction that can be gradual and is not always an emergency, while swerving is usually sudden and abrupt.
- dodging
- Dodging means avoiding something by moving aside quickly, but it can involve a person's whole body, not necessarily a change of course.
- skidding
- Skidding is sliding out of control on a slippery surface, whereas swerving is a steering movement that may be deliberate.
- deviating
- Deviating is a more formal word for departing from a path or plan, without the sense of sudden motion.
Word family
- swerve noun
- A sudden sharp turn away from a straight line.
- swerved verb
- Past tense of swerve.
- unswerving adjective
- Not changing or weakening, as in unswerving loyalty.
- unswervingly adverb
- In a steady way that never changes direction or purpose.
Commonly confused: swerving or swirling?
swerving vs swirling
Swirling means moving in circles, like water or smoke; swerving means turning suddenly from a straight line.
Practice
The driver kept ______ to avoid the dog that ran across the lane.
Choose one answer.
Swerving means suddenly changing direction to avoid an obstacle. Swirling, swinging and swelling look similar but do not describe a vehicle's avoidance movement.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “swerving”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.