Right away

USAGE SUMMARY

"right away" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means "immediately," and it can be used when referring to something that needs to be done or completed as soon as possible. For example, "I'll help you move your furniture right away."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Right away".

The New York Times

"Right away, baby becomes real.

Forbes

test right away".

The New York Times - Sports

"She answered right away.

The New York Times

Just not right away.

The New York Times

He sang right away.

The New Yorker

Back right away.

The New Yorker

Not right away.

The New York Times

Eat right away.

The New York Times - Food

It came right away.

The New York Times

pull back right away.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "right away" when you want to emphasize that something should be done immediately and without any delay. It's suitable for both spoken and written communication.

Common error

While "right away" is widely acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal documents or business reports. Opt for more professional alternatives like "immediately" or "promptly" in those contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "right away" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs to indicate the timing of an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it specifies that an action should be performed immediately. Examples show it modifying verbs like "start", "answered", "serve" and "pull back".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Wiki

32%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "right away" is a very common adverbial phrase used to indicate that something should be done immediately. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. While primarily neutral to informal, it might be wise to consider more formal alternatives like "immediately" or "promptly" in certain professional contexts. It is used in News & Media, Wiki and Science.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

immediately

This is a direct synonym, implying no delay.

straight away

A British English equivalent of "right away".

at once

Similar to immediately, but can sometimes carry a slightly more forceful tone.

instantly

Emphasizes the speed and lack of delay, often used for digital actions or quick results.

without delay

Explicitly states the absence of any waiting period.

promptly

Highlights the quickness and efficiency of the action.

directly

Suggests an action is performed without intermediaries or detours.

forthwith

A more formal synonym for "immediately".

this instant

Emphasizes the urgency and immediate need for action.

in a jiffy

Suggests doing something quickly, but less formal.

FAQs

How can I use "right away" in a sentence?

You can use "right away" to indicate that something should be done immediately. For example, "Please send the report "right away"".

What are some alternatives to using "right away"?

Some alternatives to "right away" include "immediately", "at once", or "instantly", depending on the specific context.

Is "right away" appropriate for formal writing?

While "right away" is generally acceptable, more formal alternatives like "promptly" or "forthwith" might be more suitable for very formal contexts.

What is the difference between "right away" and "straight away"?

"Right away" and "straight away" are largely interchangeable, with "straight away" being more common in British English.