came away

USAGE SUMMARY

"came away" is a correct and usable expression in written English.
It typically means to depart in a hurry and/or with difficulty. Example sentence: After trying to free himself from the handcuffs, he eventually came away.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

They came away satisfied.

The New York Times

Few came away convinced.

The New Yorker

We came away unscathed.

The New Yorker

None came away victorious.

The New York Times

He came away enthusiastic.

The New York Times

Boyle came away bewildered.

The Guardian - Film

He came away pleased.

The New York Times - Sports

But we came away disappointed.

The New York Times

"I came away really excited".

The New York Times

His hand came away bloody.

The New Yorker

James came away only stronger.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "came away", consider the implications of movement and attainment or avoidance. It is best suited to describe an experience where there is both a physical or metaphorical departure and a resulting state or feeling. For example: 'He came away victorious' or 'She came away empty-handed'.

Common error

Avoid using "came away" when simply describing the act of leaving a place without any particular consequence or feeling. For instance, saying "I came away from the store" is less appropriate than "I left the store" if you have nothing to add.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "came away" is as a phrasal verb indicating the act of departing from a place or situation, often with a particular feeling, impression, or result. This is supported by Ludwig examples such as, "They came away satisfied".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

2%

Science

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "came away" is a versatile phrasal verb indicating departure, often with a specific feeling or result. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across various contexts, predominantly in news and media. When using "came away", ensure it appropriately conveys not just the act of leaving but also the resulting state. While alternatives like "departed" or "left" exist, they may lack the nuance of a resultant state. By understanding its grammatical function, communicative purpose, and common usage patterns, writers can effectively use "came away" to add depth and precision to their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

departed

This alternative focuses on the action of leaving, lacking the nuance of a resulting feeling or impression.

left

This is a more general term for leaving, without specifying the manner or outcome of the departure.

emerged

This suggests coming out of something, often implying a transformation or revelation, and it focuses on the final state rather than the departure itself.

concluded

This emphasizes the end of an experience, often with a specific result or decision.

resulted

This focuses solely on the outcome or consequence, omitting the act of leaving or departing.

finished

Similar to 'concluded', this highlights the completion of an event without specifying movement.

parted

This indicates separation, especially from a person or group, and may not convey the same sense of conclusion or outcome.

withdrew

This often implies a retreat or removal, sometimes from a competition or agreement, and may not be applicable in all contexts.

escaped

This suggests avoiding something dangerous or unpleasant, adding a specific context not always present in "came away".

retreated

Similar to 'withdrew', this implies moving back or away from a specific situation or location.

FAQs

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

You can use "came away" to describe the feeling or state one has after an experience. For instance, "After the meeting, I "came away" feeling inspired".

What is a good alternative to "came away"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "came away" include "left", "departed", or "emerged". For example, "He "left" the negotiations empty-handed".

Is it correct to say "came away from" instead of "came away"?

While "came away" can imply movement from a place, adding "from" is often redundant. It's generally more concise and grammatically sound to simply use "came away" to describe the result of an experience. For instance, "I "came away" satisfied" is preferable to "I came away from satisfied".

What's the difference between "came away" and "went away"?

"Came away" typically emphasizes the resulting state or feeling after an experience, whereas "went away" simply indicates departure. You "came away" impressed, but you simply "went away" for the weekend.