right away

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "right away" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something should be done immediately or without delay. Example: "Please send me the report right away so I can review it before the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Right away".

The New York Times

test right away".

The New York Times - Sports

"She answered right away.

The New York Times

Just not right away.

The New York Times

He sang right away.

The New Yorker

Back right away.

The New Yorker

Not right away.

The New York Times

Eat right away.

The New York Times - Food

It came right away.

The New York Times

pull back right away.

The New York Times

She responded right away.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "right away" when you want to convey a sense of urgency or immediacy. For example, "Please respond right away if you can attend the meeting."

Common error

Avoid using "right away" in highly formal or professional communications where a more sophisticated term like "immediately" or "promptly" might be more appropriate.

How to use

Learn how to use "right away" with practical examples and tips.

How to use

Linguistic Context

The phrase "right away" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate the timing of an action. Ludwig AI confirms this usage, providing examples where it signifies immediacy, such as 'He sang right away'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Wiki

50%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "right away" is a common adverbial phrase used to indicate that something should be done immediately. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide usage across various contexts, from news articles to informal conversations. While versatile, it's best to consider the formality of your communication; in more professional settings, alternatives like "immediately" or "promptly" might be more suitable. With its primary function to express urgency, "right away" remains a practical and widely understood expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

immediately

A formal and direct substitute, implying no delay.

at once

Similar to immediately, but with a slightly more forceful tone.

instantly

Emphasizes the instantaneous nature of the action.

straightaway

British English equivalent, meaning without hesitation.

without delay

Explicitly states the absence of any waiting period.

forthwith

A more formal and somewhat archaic synonym for immediately.

promptly

Highlights the speed and efficiency of the action.

this instant

Emphasizes the urgency and immediate nature of the task.

in a flash

Conveys the idea of something happening very quickly.

chop-chop

An informal expression emphasizing speed and efficiency.

FAQs

What does "right away" mean?

"Right away" means immediately or without any delay. It's used to indicate that something should be done quickly.

What can I say instead of "right away"?

You can use alternatives like "immediately", "at once", or "instantly" depending on the context.

Is "right away" formal or informal?

"Right away" is generally considered to be informal. In more formal settings, consider using alternatives like "immediately" or "promptly".

How do you use "right away" in a sentence?

You can use "right away" in a sentence to indicate that something should be done without delay, for example, "Please start on this project right away."