has washed away

USAGE SUMMARY

'has washed away' is a valid and understandable phrase in written English.
You can use it to express that something has been completely removed or carried away by water or other liquid. For example: "The heavy rains have washed away the sandcastle the children had built on the beach."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

Oil has washed away, leaving grass that appears healthy.

The New York Times - Science

A game that began with a deluge has washed away an epic drought.

The New York Times - Sports

But over time, the paint has washed away, and fears of poisoning have faded.

The New York Times

Erosion of the cliffs by waves, however, has washed away much of those towns.

Britannica

Gilding has washed away, and many apostles have lost their halos.

The New York Times - Arts

Indeed, Japan's decade-long bear market has washed away much of its own bubble-era excesses and Internet-driven mania.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

Already-eroded barrier islands have washed away.

The Washington Post

The public pier had washed away.

The Washington Post

– you have washed away their developmental past.

The Guardian

The meager food stocks of the village had washed away.

The New York Times

Flood waters have washed away thousands of towns and villages.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has washed away" to describe the complete removal of something by the force of water or another liquid, or metaphorically to describe the dissipation of emotions or ideas.

Common error

While it's acceptable to use "has washed away" to describe the dissipation of intangible things like feelings, overusing it can make your writing sound cliché. Consider using more specific verbs like 'dissipated', 'faded', or 'vanished' for a more nuanced effect.

Linguistic Context

"Has washed away" functions as a verb phrase in the present perfect tense. It indicates that an action of washing something away was completed at some point in the past and has a connection to the present. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Academia

17%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has washed away" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express the removal or dissipation of something, either literally by water or metaphorically in abstract contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. While versatile, it's essential to be mindful of overusing it metaphorically to avoid sounding cliché. Consider using synonyms like "has been swept away" or "has been eroded" for different nuances. This phrase appears most often in news and academic writing, maintaining a generally neutral tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been swept away

Implies a more sudden and forceful removal, like by a wave or wind.

has been obliterated

Highlights complete destruction and removal, often due to a catastrophic event.

has been eroded

Focuses on gradual removal by natural elements, often over time.

has been carried off

Suggests something being taken away, often implying a degree of mystery or finality.

has vanished without trace

Emphasizes the mysterious and complete disappearance of something.

has disappeared completely

Emphasizes the total absence of something, without specifying the cause.

has disintegrated

Focuses on the breaking apart of something into smaller pieces, leading to its removal.

has been purged

Suggests a deliberate removal of something undesirable or impure.

has been eliminated

Highlights the removal of something, typically to improve efficiency or remove unwanted items.

has been rinsed off

Implies a gentle removal by water, often of a surface layer.

FAQs

How can I use "has washed away" in a sentence?

You can use "has washed away" to describe the removal of something by water, like "The flood has washed away the bridge". It can also be used metaphorically, as in "The years have washed away many of his memories".

What are some alternatives to "has washed away"?

Alternatives include "has been swept away", "has been eroded", or "has disappeared completely" depending on the context.

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

The choice between "has washed away" and "had washed away" depends on the tense you want to convey. "Has washed away" indicates a past action with present relevance, while "had washed away" indicates an action completed before another point in the past.

Can "has washed away" be used to describe emotional states?

Yes, "has washed away" can be used metaphorically to describe the dissipation of emotions or feelings, for example, "Time has washed away her anger".