carry away

USAGE SUMMARY

"carry away" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to taking something (or someone) away, usually with you. For example: "She gathered her things and carried them away."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Abish was permitted to carry away two small toys.

The New Yorker

Inevitably, however, it's the image of Vasiliev you carry away.

The Guardian

"That's the only thing I can carry away from this".

The New York Times

Each day 70 to 100 trucks carry away the loads.

The New York Times

Be content to carry away a few tasty nuggets.

The New York Times

Last weekend, another ship pulled near the harbor to carry away hundreds more.

The New York Times

The reactor would use sodium rather than water to carry away the heat it produces.

The New York Times

That would carry away a lot of energy that should otherwise be detected.

The Economist

Shaft and tunnel spillways can carry away the water to a point downstream of the dam.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Patients were dying by the hundreds, but there was nobody to carry away the corpses.

The New Yorker

The function of air was merely to carry away the liberated phlogiston.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "carry away" to describe the act of physically removing something or someone, or to express being emotionally overwhelmed or captivated.

Common error

While versatile, "carry away" can sound informal in certain professional or academic settings. Consider alternatives like "transport", "remove", or more specific verbs to maintain a formal tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "carry away" functions primarily as a transitive verb, requiring an object. It describes the act of physically removing something or someone, or, more figuratively, being emotionally overwhelmed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "carry away" is a versatile phrasal verb with two primary meanings: physical removal and emotional captivation. Ludwig AI confirms that the expression is correct. It is commonly found in news, encyclopedias, and scientific contexts, with a generally neutral register. While widely used, writers should consider more formal alternatives in professional or academic settings to ensure the tone aligns with the intended audience. Its flexibility makes it a valuable addition to any writer's vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take away

Focuses on the act of removing something from a place.

bear away

Emphasizes the act of transporting something, often with effort.

haul away

Highlights the forceful or laborious removal of something heavy or bulky.

sweep away

Suggests a rapid and forceful removal, often by a natural force.

spirit away

Implies a mysterious or magical removal.

kidnap

Specifically refers to the unlawful seizure and removal of a person.

transport

Focuses on the act of moving something from one place to another.

captivate

Refers to the action of attracting and holding the interest and attention of someone.

enthrall

Implies being completely captivated or fascinated.

enchant

Suggests a magical or delightful influence.

FAQs

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

You can use "carry away" to describe physically removing something, as in "The workers carried away the debris", or to describe being emotionally overwhelmed, as in "She got carried away by the music".

What is the difference between "take away" and "carry away"?

"Take away" generally implies removing something, while "carry away" suggests physically transporting it or being emotionally swept up by something.

What are some synonyms for "carry away" in the context of being emotionally moved?

In the context of being emotionally moved, synonyms for "carry away" include "captivate", "enthrall", or "enchant".

Is it correct to use "carry away" in formal writing?

While "carry away" is generally acceptable, in very formal writing, consider more precise alternatives depending on the context, such as "remove", "transport", or "captivate".