taking away

USAGE SUMMARY

"taking away" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used as a phrasal verb meaning to remove or subtract something. It can also be used as a noun phrase, referring to the act of removing or subtracting something. Example: - "I'm taking away the cookies that you stole from the cookie jar." - "The teacher punished the students by taking away their cellphones for the rest of the day." - "After doing the math problem, I realized I made a mistake in the first step and had to start again by taking away the incorrect numbers." - "Watching too much TV can have negative effects, so it's important to limit screen time and not let it take away from other activities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Taking away?

The Economist

You're taking away their choice".

The New York Times

This is taking away jobs".

The New York Times

That means taking away Rice.

The New York Times

It's taking away the fathers.

The New Yorker

It was like taking away her child.

The New Yorker

"I was taking away our Sundays.

The New York Times

"They are taking away Ledezma!

The New York Times

You're taking away our leader".

The New York Times - Sports

"It's not about taking away people's guns.

The New York Times

You're taking away fertility, in most cases.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "taking away", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being removed and from whom. For example, "Taking away privileges" implies a clear loss for the person affected.

Common error

Avoid using "taking away" without considering the emotional or practical consequences. Be mindful that removing something can have a significant impact on individuals or systems.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "taking away" functions primarily as a present participle in verb phrases, often indicating an ongoing action of removing or subtracting something. It is frequently used to describe the act of depriving someone of something, as supported by Ludwig AI. For example, "They are taking away Ledezma!"

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

97%

Academia

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "taking away" is a grammatically correct and very common verb phrase used to describe the act of removing, subtracting, or depriving. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, especially in News & Media. When using "taking away", it's important to consider the consequences of the removal and ensure clarity in what is being removed and from whom. Some effective alternatives include "removing", "subtracting", and "depriving", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

removing

Focuses on the act of physical or abstract displacement.

subtracting

Implies a mathematical or quantitative reduction.

depriving

Emphasizes the loss experienced by the subject from whom something is taken.

confiscating

Suggests taking something away as a penalty or by authority.

rescinding

Specifically refers to the cancellation or revocation of something like a law or agreement.

eliminating

Indicates a complete removal, often to solve a problem.

withdrawing

Suggests pulling something back or away, often in a formal sense.

seizing

Implies a forceful or sudden taking of something.

stripping

Suggests removing something essential or valuable.

expropriating

Refers to the government taking private property for public use.

FAQs

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

You can use "taking away" to describe the act of removing something, such as "The teacher is taking away their recess for misbehavior" or "The company is taking away benefits due to budget cuts".

What are some alternatives to "taking away"?

Alternatives include "removing", "subtracting", or "depriving", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "taking away from"?

Yes, "taking away from" is correct and commonly used to indicate a reduction or detraction from something. For example, "This decision is taking away from our overall progress".

What is the difference between "taking away" and "giving away"?

"Taking away" implies removing or subtracting something, while "giving away" implies providing or offering something freely. They are opposite actions.