taken away

USAGE SUMMARY

"taken away" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when talking about something being removed or taken away from someone or something. For example, "The children had their toys taken away as punishment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Or taken away.

The New Yorker

Bathroom privileges were taken away.

The New York Times

He got taken away quick.

The New Yorker

Your license is taken away.

The New York Times - Magazine

He has taken away jobs".

The New York Times

Your leisure is taken away".

The New Yorker

It always gets taken away".

Independent

Taken away in an ambulance.

The New Yorker

"It's not taken away.

The New York Times

It gets taken away".

The Guardian - Film

All taken away.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "taken away" to describe the removal of something, whether tangible or intangible, from a person or entity. The removal can be temporary or permanent, depending on the context.

Common error

Avoid using "taken away" when the active voice is more appropriate. Instead of "The opportunity was taken away from her", consider "Someone took away her opportunity" for a more direct and impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "taken away" functions as the past participle of the phrasal verb "take away", often used in the passive voice. This indicates that someone or something is the recipient of an action, as Ludwig AI confirms, indicating something is being removed or seized. For example, "My breath is taken away".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

96%

Science

2%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "taken away" functions as the past participle of the phrasal verb "take away", often used in the passive voice to indicate the removal or deprivation of something. As Ludwig AI points out, it's considered grammatically correct and suitable for diverse contexts, particularly in news and media. While alternatives like "removed" or "confiscated" exist, the choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Use it to clearly express the loss or removal of something, but be mindful of the active vs. passive voice. The prevalence of its usage in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its reliability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

removed

Focuses on the act of displacement or detachment, often implying a physical separation.

deprived of

Highlights the loss or denial of something essential or expected.

stripped of

Emphasizes the complete removal of something, often leaving the subject vulnerable or bare.

confiscated

Implies authority taking possession of something, often due to a rule violation.

withdrawn

Indicates the removal of something from availability or participation.

seized

Suggests a forceful or abrupt taking, often in a legal or conflict-related context.

dispossessed of

Emphasizes the act of depriving someone of land or property.

relieved of

Indicates the easing of a burden or responsibility through removal.

rescinded

Applies to the cancellation or revocation of a law, agreement, or privilege.

expropriated

Implies the government taking private property for public use, often with compensation.

FAQs

How is "taken away" used in a sentence?

The phrase "taken away" is used to indicate that something has been removed or seized from someone. For example, "His driver's license was "taken away" after the incident" or "The joy was "taken away" by the sad news".

What are some alternatives to "taken away"?

Alternatives to "taken away" include "removed", "confiscated", or "seized", depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

What's the difference between "taken away" and "removed"?

"Taken away" generally implies that something was possessed by someone and then removed, whereas "removed" simply means that something was displaced or detached. "The book was "taken away" from the child" versus "The debris was "removed" from the road".

Is it correct to say "had taken away"?

Yes, "had taken away" is grammatically correct, representing the past perfect tense of the verb phrase. It's used to describe an action of taking something away that was completed before another point in the past. Example: "She realized someone had "had taken away" her keys before she left the house".