carried away

USAGE SUMMARY

"carried away" is a perfectly valid and usable phrase in written English.
It generally means to be taken away emotionally due to enthusiasm, excitement, or passion. For example, "She was so inspired by the speaker's powerful words that she got completely carried away."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I got carried away.

Yale University

Everybody gets carried away.

Independent

Got carried away.

Independent

Don't get carried away".

The New York Times

They carried away energy.

The Guardian

We're getting carried away.

The New York Times

People get carried away.

The Guardian - Film

Nothing got carried away".

The New York Times - Sports

Bell was carried away.

The Guardian

They get carried away.

The New York Times

Two were carried away.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "carried away" to describe someone's actions, clarify what they were carried away by. This provides context and prevents ambiguity. For example: "He got carried away by his enthusiasm and made promises he couldn't keep."

Common error

While "carried away" is acceptable, frequent use can make writing sound informal or repetitive. In formal contexts, consider stronger verbs or more precise descriptions of the emotion or action. For example, instead of "The speaker got carried away", try "The speaker became impassioned."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "carried away" functions primarily as a predicate adjective, describing a state of being excessively emotional or excited. Ludwig examples show its usage across various contexts, highlighting its role in conveying a loss of control due to heightened feelings. As Ludwig AI explains, it indicates an emotional state.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "carried away" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe someone who becomes excessively emotional or excited, often leading to a loss of control. Ludwig examples showcase its versatility across diverse contexts, from academia to news media. While it's generally acceptable, it's important to consider the specific context and audience, especially in formal writing, where more precise language may be preferred. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a usable phrase and provides numerous examples.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

carried off one's feet

This expression is another more emphatic way to express that you have been overwhelmed by an experience.

overexcited

Suggests an excessive level of excitement, mirroring the enthusiastic aspect of being "carried away".

swept up

Suggests being taken along by a strong force or emotion, similar to being "carried away" by enthusiasm.

overwhelmed

This term indicates a feeling of being overpowered by emotions or events, similar to losing control in "carried away".

overtaken by

This means to be overwhelmed or dominated by a feeling or event, similar to the lack of control in "carried away".

beside oneself

Implies a state of extreme emotion, often joy or agitation, akin to being "carried away" by feelings.

lost in the moment

This phrase focuses on the immersive aspect of being "carried away", where one is fully absorbed in the present experience.

consumed by

Indicates being completely engrossed or affected by something, echoing the intense involvement of being "carried away".

intoxicated by

This implies a state of exhilaration or infatuation, akin to being "carried away" by something captivating.

blinded by

Implies that one's judgment is impaired by a strong emotion or influence, similar to losing perspective when "carried away".

FAQs

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

You can use "carried away" to describe someone who is so excited or enthusiastic that they lose control of their actions or words. For example, "I got "carried away" and spent too much money shopping."

What does it mean to get "carried away"?

To get "carried away" means to become so emotional or excited that you lose control of your behavior or judgment. It often implies going to an extreme or doing something impulsive.

Which is correct, "carried away" or "carry away"?

"Carried away" is the correct past participle form when used in the context of being overwhelmed by emotion or excitement. "Carry away" is the present tense form of the verb and has a different meaning, such as physically transporting something.

What are some alternative ways to say "I got carried away"?

You can use alternatives like "I was overwhelmed", "I got overexcited", or "I lost control" depending on the context.