had worn away

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had worn away" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has gradually eroded or diminished over time, often referring to physical objects or surfaces. Example: "The inscription on the old gravestone had worn away, making it difficult to read the names."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Mine had worn away.

The New Yorker

The top of it was bumpy where the varnish had worn away.

The Guardian - Opinion

The heavy rains of last winter had worn away at the brickwork associated with the chimney.

The Guardian

They had worn away all the crowns of their front teeth such that their front roots were serving as chewing surfaces.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Dr. Hauser identified three cases that appeared to show the coating on Durata leads had worn away because the wires had pushed through from the inside.

The New York Times

She'd had a partial knee replacement a decade ago, when arthritis had worn away part of the cartilage, and for a while this served her beautifully.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

Time has worn away some of its old values.

The New York Times

Time and neglect have worn away much that was there.

The New York Times

But the social and economic mobility of the past century has worn away at that interconnectedness.

The New York Times

But the red stains have worn away, and now they are all the color of ivory.

The New York Times - Arts

The attrition of addiction has worn away their personalities, leaving just a gaping, unlovely need.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "had worn away", consider the subject. It's most effective with concrete nouns (like "stone", "paint") or abstract concepts that can erode (like "trust", "patience").

Common error

Avoid using "had worn away" when the cause of the erosion is sudden or abrupt. This phrase implies a gradual process, so it's not appropriate for instances of sudden damage or destruction. In those cases use other phrases like "broke", "destroyed" or "cracked".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had worn away" functions as a past perfect verb phrase, indicating that an action of wearing away was completed before another point in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its usage across various contexts, signifying a gradual diminishing or erosion.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Encyclopedias

4%

Science

4%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "had worn away" is a past perfect verb phrase used to describe the gradual erosion, degradation, or disappearance of something over time, completed before a specific point in the past. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While alternatives like "had eroded" or "had faded" exist, "had worn away" is most suitable when emphasizing the cumulative effect of time or repeated action. Use it to describe the gradual loss of physical material or abstract qualities, but avoid it in cases of sudden or abrupt damage. Remember to consider the register; while generally neutral, its specific connotation can be fine-tuned by choosing synonyms appropriate for the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had eroded

Focuses on the process of being gradually destroyed by natural forces.

had deteriorated

Emphasizes the decline in quality or condition over time.

had faded

Highlights the loss of color, intensity, or prominence.

had vanished

Suggests a complete disappearance or ceasing to exist.

had disappeared

Implies something is no longer visible or present.

had crumbled

Describes the process of breaking or falling apart into small fragments.

had decayed

Indicates decomposition or rotting over time.

had disintegrated

Focuses on the process of breaking into small parts or losing cohesion.

had dissipated

Emphasizes the process of gradually fading away or vanishing.

had diminished

Highlights the reduction in size, extent, or importance.

FAQs

What does "had worn away" mean?

The phrase "had worn away" describes a process where something has gradually diminished or eroded over time due to repeated use, friction, or natural elements. For example, "The inscription on the stone "had worn away" over the centuries".

What are some alternatives to "had worn away"?

You can use alternatives such as "had eroded", "had deteriorated", or "had faded" depending on the context. Each alternative emphasizes a slightly different aspect of gradual loss or degradation.

How can I use "had worn away" in a sentence?

Use "had worn away" to describe the gradual erosion or disappearance of something over time. For example, "The constant friction "had worn away" the tire tread" or "Years of conflict "had worn away" their trust".

Is it correct to say "has worn away" instead of "had worn away"?

While both are grammatically correct, "has worn away" describes a process that is ongoing or recently completed, while "had worn away" describes a process that was completed at some point in the past relative to another past event. For example, "The paint has worn away" (ongoing) vs. "The paint "had worn away" before we bought the house" (completed in the past).