cart away

USAGE SUMMARY

'cart away' is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to indicate that something is being taken away quickly, either physically or figuratively. For example, "She quickly carted away her broken possessions, not wanting to remember the tragedy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Boy Scouts and Yonkers parks department workers have helped cart away debris and excavate artifacts.

The New York Times - Arts

"First time take, second time big problem, O.K.?" he said, wheeling the cart away.

The New Yorker

Every morning ambulances would arrive on the Bowery and cart away the bodies.

The New York Times

Then comes the rumbling of the tumbrels to cart away the old order.

The New York Times - Sports

The wind in Roxbury is stingingly cold and, at times, it blew his cart away.

The New York Times

In separate interviews, several residents said they watched soldiers cart away their property in government trucks.

The New York Times

Occidental has agreed to cart away 40,000 cubic yards of the most toxic muck.

The New York Times

As soon as a home is empty, they demolish it and cart away the rubble.

The Guardian - Opinion

"They needed a big box truck to cart away all the vials and boxes of steroids".

The New York Times

(By Saturday night, dump trucks had backed up to a park to cart away the rotting blossoms).

The New York Times

The death toll was probably higher; one witness said militia forces appeared to be using vans to cart away bodies.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cart away", ensure the context implies the removal involves some means of transportation, not simply discarding something nearby. For instance, "The workers carted away the debris" is better than "He carted away the paper by throwing it in the trash."

Common error

Don't use "cart away" when the removal doesn't involve any form of carrying or transportation. Saying "She carted away her sadness" is incorrect; use a phrase like "She overcame her sadness" instead.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "cart away" is a phrasal verb. It combines the verb "cart" with the particle "away" to create a new verb with a distinct meaning. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it indicates the action of removing something, often in large quantities or with the aid of transportation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cart away" is a very common and correct phrasal verb predominantly used in News & Media. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it describes the action of taking something away. While grammatically sound and widely understood, it is important to use "cart away" when the context implies some form of physical transportation is involved and that the items are bulky or large in quantity. Alternatives like "haul away" or "remove" can be used in different contexts where physical transportation is not implied.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

haul away

Similar to "cart away", but often implies a larger quantity or more difficult removal.

carry off

Implies taking something away, often quickly or secretly.

take away

A simple and direct way to express the action of removing something. Less specific regarding method of removal.

remove

A general term for taking something away. Lacks the implication of transportation inherent in "cart away".

clear away

Focuses on the act of making a space free from obstructions or debris.

transport

Emphasizes the act of moving something from one place to another. More formal and less colloquial.

extract

Suggests removing something with effort or precision, often from within something else.

withdraw

Often used in contexts where something is being pulled back or retracted.

expel

Suggests a forced or official removal, often from a group or organization.

deport

Specifically refers to the removal of someone from a country.

FAQs

How is "cart away" used in a sentence?

Use "cart away" to describe the act of taking something away, usually implying a large amount or bulky items, and often involving some form of transportation. For example, "The city workers "cart away" the debris after the storm".

What are some alternatives to "cart away"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "haul away", "remove", or "take away". "Haul away" is similar, but emphasizes the effort or size of the load.

Is it correct to say "cart away" in a formal context?

While "cart away" is generally understood, it leans towards informal or neutral usage. In highly formal contexts, consider using alternatives such as "transport" or "remove" for a more professional tone.

What's the difference between "cart away" and "carry off"?

"Cart away" typically refers to the physical act of transporting something, often using a cart or vehicle. "Carry off" can also imply stealing or managing something successfully, adding a layer of meaning that "cart away" doesn't have.