erase away

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "erase away" is correct and usable in written English, although it may be considered somewhat redundant.
You can use it when you want to emphasize the act of removing something completely or thoroughly. Example: "I need to erase away all the mistakes from my final draft before submitting it."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Mr. Walker said he does not intend to retire because, as he explained it, "old cartoonists never retire, they just erase away".

The New York Times

Best known for their team-up with the Moments on 1975's sublime single Girls, this Baltimore symphonic soul troupe specialised less in socially conscious R&B, a la Marvin Gaye, and more in submissive-male pleas for affection, such as the US hit I'll Erase Away the Pain.

The Guardian - Music

Select Erase to erase away any color spill over and select Paint if you'd like to manually color in smaller areas through touch.

TechCrunch

His work tends to make light of society's mundane, often vapid habits, like using an IRL hand to erase away a cartoon's five o'clock shadow.

Vice

Erase away stubborn marks.

WikiHow

Erase away unnecessary guides.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Unlike the water equivalents, the colours stay put until erased away, so children can show their drawings off to Mum and Dad.

Independent

Proposed on the site of an impoverished Hispanic neighborhood erased away by 50s urban renewal efforts to make way for Dodger Stadium, the scheme would allow visitors to peer vast distances, up into the galaxy and down into the Earth's crust.

Vice

If you stop- who knows how much effort will be erased away!

WikiHow

My parents like this and they don't like that and even if I don't have the same likes and dislikes that they have, I still have the construct in my brain that thinks I don't have the authority to make that and declare that and to erase, wipe away other things.

Huffington Post

Translating myself no longer feels like a step backward, like undoing the great labor of the original or erasing it away.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "erase away" when you want to emphasize the thoroughness of removing something, whether physical marks or abstract concepts. It adds a layer of intensity to the action of erasing.

Common error

While "erase away" is acceptable, be mindful of potential redundancy. In some contexts, simply using "erase" might be more concise and impactful. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "erase away" functions as a phrasal verb, combining the action of erasing with an adverbial particle to intensify the removal. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English, suggesting it emphasizes the thoroughness of the action.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Wiki

33%

News & Media

58%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "erase away" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to emphasize the thorough removal of something. Ludwig AI indicates that it is usable in written English, although it can sometimes be considered redundant. It is most frequently found in news and media and wiki sources, indicating a neutral to informal register. While acceptable, writers should be aware of the potential for wordiness and consider whether the simpler "erase" would suffice. Alternatives such as "wipe away" or "remove completely" can provide similar meanings with varying degrees of intensity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wipe away

Emphasizes the act of removing something with a wiping motion, often used for liquids or light marks. Focus on physical removal.

blot away

Suggests removing something by absorbing it, like ink or oil. Highlights absorption.

remove completely

A more formal and explicit way of expressing total removal, suitable for technical or official contexts. Emphasis on thoroughness.

eliminate entirely

Implies a complete and thorough removal, often used for problems or obstacles. Emphasis on the problem.

get rid of

A more informal way to say remove, implying something unwanted is being discarded. Focus on discarding.

obliterate

Suggests a forceful and complete destruction or removal, leaving no trace. Emphasis on totality.

cancel out

Means to negate the effect of something else, often used in mathematical or abstract contexts. Emphasis on nullification.

fade away

Implies a gradual disappearance, often used for memories or sounds. Highlights gradual vanishing.

sweep away

Suggests a rapid and forceful removal, often used for things carried by wind or water. Highlights rapid removal.

expunge

A formal term for erasing or removing something, especially from official records. Emphasis on formal removal.

FAQs

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

You can use "erase away" to describe the act of thoroughly removing something, such as "I need to "wipe out" all the mistakes from my final draft before submitting it".

What does "erase away" mean?

"Erase away" means to completely remove something, either physically or metaphorically, to the point where it is no longer visible or present. It emphasizes thorough removal.

Are "erase" and "erase away" interchangeable?

While "erase" and "erase away" share a similar meaning, "erase away" intensifies the action, suggesting a more complete removal. "Erase" is generally more concise, but "erase away" can be used for emphasis.

What can I say instead of "erase away"?

You can use alternatives like "wipe away", "remove completely", or "obliterate", depending on the context.