sailed away

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sailed away" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the action of a ship or boat departing from a location, often implying a sense of freedom or adventure. Example: "As the sun set on the horizon, the ship sailed away, leaving the shore behind."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

I just dropped out, sailed away.

The New York Times

Sailed away on September 14 , 2004

The New York Times

Harvick then sailed away for his second consecutive victory.

The New York Times - Sports

Oracle-BMW was headed, the Alinghi sailed away.

The New York Times - Sports

He sailed away from the violet-starred field".

The New York Times

But that pawnshop seemed to have sailed away like a ghost ship.

The New Yorker

The ship came within fifty feet, took pictures, and sailed away.

The New Yorker

Until the Monitor sailed away on Aug. 29, Carter was usually in sight of Shirley.

The New York Times

He then sailed away to the Caribbean, becoming a charter boat captain, transporting people and cargo.

The New York Times

By 2 00 am the nearby ship had reportedly sailed away.

Encyclopedia Britannica

I told the old sumbitch to open the corral gate, and we sailed away.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sailed away" to add a sense of adventure or finality to a departure, particularly when the context involves journeys or significant life changes.

Common error

Avoid using "sailed away" in contexts where a literal sailing is impossible or highly improbable, as this can create unintentional humor or confusion. Choose a more appropriate verb for non-nautical departures.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sailed away" functions as a phrasal verb, typically acting as the predicate of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It describes the action of a vessel departing or, metaphorically, something disappearing or being lost.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "sailed away" describes a departure, either literally by boat or metaphorically. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and commonly used. It often carries connotations of freedom, adventure, or a sense of something lost. While versatile, it's most prevalent in news and media contexts and should be used judiciously in formal writing. Remember to ensure the context is appropriate to avoid unintended humor or confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

set sail

Focuses on the act of beginning a sea voyage.

pushed off

Informal way to indicate the start of a boat journey.

departed

Formal synonym for leaving, lacking the nautical connotation.

shipped out

Emphasizes departure, often for military or work-related reasons.

took off

General term for leaving quickly, can apply to various modes of transport.

headed out

Informal, indicates a general direction of departure.

left

Simplest way to indicate departure, without specifying the mode of transport.

cleared off

Suggests a hasty or secretive departure.

floated away

Suitable when the subject is drifting or floating.

moved on

Highlights a transition to a new place or situation.

FAQs

What does it mean when something "sailed away"?

When something "sailed away", it means it has departed or left, often implying a sense of freedom or adventure. It can also mean an opportunity has been missed or lost.

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

You can use "sailed away" to describe a literal departure by ship, such as "The ship "sailed away" at dawn." Alternatively, you can use it metaphorically, such as "My chance to get that job "sailed away" when I missed the deadline."

What are some synonyms for "sailed away"?

Alternatives to "sailed away" include "departed", "set sail", or "left", depending on the desired nuance.

Is it appropriate to use "sailed away" in formal writing?

While "sailed away" is generally acceptable, it may be more suitable for creative or descriptive writing. In formal contexts, consider using more neutral alternatives like "departed" or "left".