he went away

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence "he went away" is correct and can be used in written English.
Example: After a heated argument, John stormed out of the room and went away, leaving his angry wife behind.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He went away disappointed.

The New York Times

He went away fuming.

The Guardian

Shooting resumed, he went away.

The New York Times

He went away and returned.

Independent

He went away from me.

The New Yorker

He went away inspired.

The Guardian

He went away then.

The Guardian - Books

"He went away for stock fraud.

The New York Times - Arts

"Then he went away on business.

The New York Times

He went away to college.

The New York Times

But he went away at a crucial period".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he went away" to describe a temporary or permanent departure, ensuring the context clarifies the reason for leaving. For example, "He went away for a week on vacation" provides more clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "he went away" when you specifically mean "he stepped out briefly". The phrase often suggests a more extended or permanent absence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he went away" functions as a simple declarative statement describing a past action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound. It clearly indicates that a male subject has departed from a location or situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

4%

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "he went away" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe someone's departure. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for written English. It is predominantly found in News & Media, followed by Wiki sources, indicating its versatility. While it can be used in various contexts, be mindful of the implication of permanence and consider more specific alternatives like "he left" or "he departed" when necessary. Overall, "he went away" serves as a simple and effective way to convey that someone has left a place or situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he left

A simpler and more general term for leaving a place or situation.

he departed

More formal and direct, simply stating that someone left.

he exited

A more formal way to say someone left a place.

he went elsewhere

Indicates a change of location, emphasizing the new destination.

he took off

Informal and suggests a quick or sudden departure.

he moved on

Suggests leaving one phase or location to start another.

he disappeared

Suggests a sudden or mysterious departure, often without explanation.

he withdrew

Implies a deliberate removal from a situation or group.

he vanished

Similar to disappeared, but often implies a complete and inexplicable disappearance.

he absented himself

Formal and emphasizes the act of making oneself absent.

FAQs

What does "he went away" mean?

The phrase "he went away" generally means that someone has departed or left a place. The length and reason for the departure can vary based on context.

What can I say instead of "he went away"?

You can use alternatives like "he left", "he departed", or "he disappeared" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "he goes away" instead of "he went away"?

While "he goes away" is grammatically correct, it has a different meaning. "He goes away" implies a habitual action, while "he went away" refers to a specific past event.

Can "he went away" imply death?

Yes, in some contexts, "he went away" can be a euphemism for death, especially when discussing someone who has passed. However, this is context-dependent.