take away something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "take away something" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of removing or subtracting an item, concept, or idea from a situation or context. Example: "If you take away the distractions, you'll find it easier to focus on your work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

They're going to have to try to take away something.

The New York Times - Sports

It's very hard to take away something they treasure".

The New York Times - Sports

"We do not want to go to the UK and take away something from them.

Independent

"How can you take away something you gave to somebody?" he asked.

The New York Times

"How dare they have the gall to take away something people worked so hard for.

The New York Times - Sports

"They showed they can take away something when they want to," Steussie said.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

Something was taken away, something special.

The New York Times - Sports

So they aren't "taking away" something or limiting what was unlimited.

The New York Times

For everything I took away, something was taken from me, as though an undeclared war was in progress.

The New York Times

"They took away something from me that was so valuable that I can never get back," she said.

The New York Times

If tobacco is taken away, something else moves in to replace it.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "take away something" when you want to emphasize the act of removing or subtracting something, whether tangible or intangible, from a situation or person. For instance: "The new regulations will take away something from small businesses."

Common error

Avoid using "take away something" when a more specific verb would be more accurate. For example, instead of "The government took away something from the citizens", consider "The government reduced benefits for the citizens" for greater clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take away something" functions primarily as a verb phrase. It typically describes the act of removing, subtracting, or depriving someone of something, often implying a loss or reduction. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples illustrating its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "take away something" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe the action of removing or subtracting something, often implying a loss or reduction. Ludwig AI's analysis of numerous examples confirms its common usage in news, general writing and business communication. It can be replaced by alternatives such as "remove something" or "subtract something", depending on the intended nuance. According to Ludwig, the phrase follows standard grammatical rules and is considered correct.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remove something

Indicates a more general act of taking something away. More formal tone.

subtract something

Implies a mathematical or quantitative taking away. More precise.

deduct something

Suggests a specific amount being taken away, often in a financial context. More specific and formal.

deprive someone of something

Focuses on the person being deprived, highlighting the loss. More emphatic.

strip something away

Suggests a more forceful or complete removal. More figurative.

extract something

Emphasizes the process of carefully removing something. More technical.

eliminate something

Focuses on completely getting rid of something, often a problem or issue. More definitive.

withdraw something

Implies a deliberate act of pulling something back or taking it out. More controlled.

confiscate something

Implies taking something away as a penalty or by authority. More legalistic.

impound something

Refers to seizing something, usually by legal authority. More specific and formal.

FAQs

How can I use "take away something" in a sentence?

You can use "take away something" to describe removing or subtracting something from a person or situation. For example, "The new policy might "take away something" valuable from the employees".

What is a good alternative to "take away something"?

Alternatives include "remove something", "subtract something", or "deprive someone of something", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "take away something" or "remove something"?

"Take away something" and "remove something" are often interchangeable, but "take away something" can sometimes imply a loss or deprivation, while "remove something" is more neutral. Consider the context to choose the most appropriate phrase.

What does "take away something" imply?

The phrase ""take away something"" often implies a reduction, subtraction, or deprivation of something, whether tangible or intangible. It suggests that what is being "taken away" is of some value or importance.