was carried off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was carried off" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something being taken away, often in a dramatic or forceful manner. Example: "The prize-winning horse was carried off by the storm, leaving the spectators in shock."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Andrea was carried off.

The New Yorker

He was carried off on a stretcher.

The New York Times - Sports

Miss Chadleigh fainted, and was carried off.

The Economist

He was carried off the field.

The New York Times

Emilio Izaguirre was carried off late on.

The Guardian - Sport

Guttmann was carried off the pitch by his players.

The Guardian - Sport

Stemm's grandfather drowned and was carried off by the current.

The New Yorker

He finally wiggled his fingers when he was carried off.

The New Yorker

Little was carried off the field with a concussion.

The New York Times - Sports

A lot of it was carried off Enron's balance sheet.

The New York Times

He was carried off by Sixers' medical personnel.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was carried off" when you want to emphasize the physical act of being transported, often due to injury, unconsciousness, or a celebratory gesture. This phrasing adds a visual element to your writing.

Common error

Avoid overusing the passive voice with "was carried off". While grammatically correct, excessive passive voice can make your writing sound weak or indirect. Consider active voice constructions when appropriate for more direct and impactful sentences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was carried off" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject of the sentence received the action of being carried. Ludwig examples confirm its use in describing a person or object being physically removed from a place.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Sport

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was carried off" is a common passive construction used to describe the act of someone or something being physically transported. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in a variety of contexts, particularly in News & Media and Sport. While versatile, be mindful of the passive voice and choose active constructions when appropriate. Consider alternative phrases like "was taken away" or "was removed" depending on the desired nuance. By understanding its function and communicative purpose, you can effectively utilize "was carried off" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was taken away

Focuses on the action of taking something away, lacking the potential implication of being forcibly removed that "was carried off" might have.

was dragged away

Indicates a forceful and unwilling removal, often against resistance.

was escorted away

Suggests a more formal or protected removal, often implying guidance or security.

was borne off

This is a more formal or archaic alternative, meaning to be carried away, often implying a sense of honor or tradition.

was removed

A general term for taking something away, lacking the sense of physical carrying.

was swept away

Suggests being removed quickly and forcefully, often by a powerful force like a wave or wind.

was abducted

Specifically refers to being taken away illegally or by force, often associated with kidnapping.

was transported

Implies movement from one place to another, often over a distance, but does not necessarily involve physical carrying by individuals.

was spirited away

Implies a mysterious or magical removal, often secretly or suddenly.

was evacuated

Refers to a removal from a dangerous area, typically involving a large group of people.

FAQs

How is "was carried off" different from "was taken away"?

While both phrases indicate removal, "was carried off" often implies a more physical and potentially dramatic removal. "Was taken away" is a more general and neutral term, while "was carried off" emphasizes the act of being physically transported.

When is it appropriate to use "was carried off" in writing?

Use "was carried off" when describing someone being physically transported from a location, often due to injury, exhaustion, or as a celebratory gesture. It's suitable when the act of carrying is significant to the context.

Are there situations where "was carried off" might not be the best choice?

In situations where the mode of removal is not relevant or when describing abstract concepts, alternative phrases like "was removed" or "was taken away" might be more appropriate. The phrase may also sound overly dramatic in some contexts.

What are some alternatives to "was carried off" that imply force or unwillingness?

If you want to emphasize that the removal was against someone's will, consider phrases like "was dragged away" or "was abducted". These alternatives add a sense of coercion to the description.