took away

USAGE SUMMARY

"took away" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it in the past tense to indicate the action of removing something from a given place. For example: "He took away the book from the shelf."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Officers took away 300 monks.

The New York Times

They took away my friends".

The New York Times

That took away the hopelessness".

The New York Times - Sports

He took away my fear.

Independent

Nature gave and took away.

The Economist

He took away the ketchup.

The New Yorker

"They took away everything.

The New York Times - Tech

The waiter took away our plates.

The New Yorker

"He took away such a bright light.

The New York Times

"You took away a beautiful life".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Taking away?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the nuance you wish to convey. "Took away" is versatile, but alternatives like "confiscated" or "deprived of" offer more specific meanings.

Common error

While "took away" is widely understood, avoid it in highly formal or legal writing where terms like "removed" or "seized" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "took away" functions as a phrasal verb, specifically the simple past tense of "take away". It indicates a completed action of removing something, either physically or abstractly. Ludwig's examples illustrate its versatility in describing concrete removals (e.g., "Officers took away 300 monks") and figurative deprivations (e.g., "He took away my fear").

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "took away" is a very common and versatile phrasal verb used to describe the act of removing something, physically or figuratively. Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically correct and widely used, predominantly in News & Media contexts. While generally neutral in register, consider more formal synonyms like "removed" in specific situations. This analysis, based on a range of real-world examples, provides practical guidance for effective use of "took away" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

removed

Indicates a more formal or official taking away, often implying a deliberate action.

confiscated

Suggests taking possession of something, usually due to a violation of rules or laws.

seized

Implies a forceful or sudden taking of something.

deprived of

Highlights the act of preventing someone from having something.

stripped of

Emphasizes the act of completely removing something, often something essential or valued.

eliminated

Indicates the complete removal or destruction of something.

withdrew

Suggests a pulling back or removal, often of support or access.

dispossessed

Implies taking away someone's property or home.

expropriated

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

rescinded

Indicates the cancellation or revocation of a law, order, or agreement.

FAQs

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

You can use "took away" to describe the act of removing something, such as "The teacher took away the student's phone" or "The illness took away his strength".

What are some alternatives to "took away"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "removed", "confiscated", or "deprived of".

Is "took away" formal or informal?

"Took away" is generally considered neutral and can be used in many contexts, but more formal words like "removed" might be preferable in some situations.

What's the difference between "took away" and "stole"?

"Took away" implies a removal, which may or may not be illegal or unethical. "Stole" specifically means taking something illegally or without permission.