sing away

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sing away" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to encourage someone to sing freely or expressively, often in a joyful or carefree manner. Example: "Feeling happy, she decided to sing away as she walked through the park, letting her voice fill the air."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

The good news is, there's nothing quite like a karaoke break-up song to help sing away the pain".

Independent

OK OK says Sachs you sing away I'll mark your faults with my hammer.

The Guardian - Music

When one Santa insisted that he sing "Away in a Manger" for a visiting child, he finally complied.

The New York Times

We can all sing the interval C to F, for instance: we do so every time we sing "Away in a Manger".

The Guardian - Music

They still sing Away in a Manger for David Healy at every match and they still chant the name of Jimmy Quinn, a striker who retired two decades ago having scored 12 goals in as many years for Northern Ireland.

The Guardian - Sport

My friend Frank and I ducked indoors to see who was behind the turntables, and found Malcolm McLaren himself huddled over his records and CDs! "Madame Butterfly," "Deep in Vogue," "Paris Paris" (with Catherine Deneuve breathily whispering "sing away"!)… all the famous McLaren hits.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

A. "Sometimes I sang away the sorrow.

The New York Times

I was happily singing away in my super-loud singing voice.

The New Yorker

Oh, you were just singing away, there, for about an hour.

The New Yorker

Last time we drove through the tunnel, we counted four cops, and three were singing away like larks.

The New Yorker

Brought up a Southern Baptist, Omar went to Bible camp as a boy and sang "Away in a Manger" on Christmas Eve.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sing away" to describe a situation where someone is actively trying to alleviate negative feelings or pass time enjoyably through singing. For example: "She decided to "sing away" her worries by joining a karaoke night".

Common error

Avoid using "sing away" as a transitive verb (e.g., "She sang away the song"). It's best used intransitively (e.g., "She sang away, lost in her thoughts") or with an object that specifies what is being sung (e.g., "She sang away her blues").

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "sing away" is as an intransitive phrasal verb, indicating the act of singing freely or for an extended period. Ludwig AI provides examples where the phrase is used to express the act of singing to alleviate pain.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

29%

The Guardian

21%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "sing away" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that implies singing freely, often to alleviate negative emotions or pass the time joyfully. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression has a wide variety of usage, from news articles to more informal contexts. While it's not particularly suited to highly formal writing, "sing away" is a versatile and readily understandable way to describe the act of expressing oneself or distracting oneself through song. Some alternatives include "sing out" and "belt out", depending on the desired emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sing out

Focuses on the act of singing loudly and clearly.

belt out

Emphasizes the power and volume of the singing.

chant away

Suggests a repetitive and rhythmic form of singing or vocalization.

vocalize freely

Highlights the uninhibited and expressive nature of the singing.

express through song

Focuses on using singing as a means of conveying emotions or ideas.

harmonize aloud

Indicates singing in harmony in a loud way.

hum rhythmically

Highlights the rhythmic aspect of producing music, as opposed to singing.

croon softly

Suggests a gentle and soothing style of singing.

whistle merrily

Focuses on whistling as a joyful form of musical expression, rather than singing.

yodel loudly

Indicates an specific way of singing typical of the alpine region.

FAQs

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

You can use "sing away" to describe the act of singing freely and expressively, often to relieve stress or enjoy oneself. For example, "After a long day at work, she would "sing away" her stress with her favorite songs".

What's a good alternative to "sing away"?

Alternatives to "sing away" include "sing out", which implies singing loudly and clearly, or "belt out", which suggests singing with power and enthusiasm.

Is it correct to say "sing away your sorrows"?

Yes, "sing away your sorrows" is a correct and common usage. It means to use singing as a way to alleviate sadness or grief.

What's the difference between "sing away" and just "sing"?

"Sing" is a general term for producing musical sounds with your voice. "Sing away" implies doing so for a particular purpose, such as to pass time, relieve stress, or express emotions. It suggests a more active and intentional use of singing.