was swept away

USAGE SUMMARY

"was swept away" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate something that happened suddenly and quickly, often as a result of an overwhelming force or feeling. For example, "The crowd was swept away by a wave of enthusiasm for the candidate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But her house was swept away.

The New York Times

In the event it was swept away.

Independent

It was swept away by the tsunami.

The New Yorker

I was swept away again.

The New York Times - Arts

That idea was swept away.

The Guardian

It collapsed and he was swept away.

The Guardian

But our far past was swept away.

The Guardian - Books

But the whole building was swept away, and he's missing.

The New York Times

The most recent functioning government was swept away in 1991.

The Economist

Next, he was swept away by her words.

The New York Times

They fear he was swept away with his family.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was swept away" to convey a sense of suddenness and lack of control, whether in a literal or figurative sense. For instance, "The old traditions were swept away by the tide of modernization."

Common error

Avoid using "was swept away" in situations where the movement or change was gradual or easily resisted. The phrase implies a significant and often overwhelming force.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was swept away" primarily functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject of the sentence underwent an action performed by an external force or influence. Ludwig examples show both literal and figurative uses of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Wiki

22%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Science

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was swept away" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive verb phrase. As Ludwig AI indicates, it describes a sudden and often forceful displacement, applicable in both literal and figurative contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media, its versatility extends to Wiki and Formal & Business domains. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the sudden and overwhelming nature of the event or feeling. Related alternatives include "was carried off" or "was overwhelmed", each carrying slightly different nuances. Overall, "was swept away" is a reliable and effective way to convey a sense of being overcome by an external force.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was carried off

Indicates a physical removal by force, similar to being literally "swept away".

was overwhelmed

Focuses on the feeling of being overpowered, rather than the physical movement.

was washed away

Specifically refers to removal by water, narrowing the context to floods or similar events.

was taken by storm

Implies a sudden and impactful capture or acceptance, shifting the focus from force to reception.

was spirited away

Suggests a mysterious or magical removal, adding a layer of intrigue not present in the original.

was whisked away

Implies a quick and effortless removal, often in a positive or romantic context.

was cleared out

Focuses on the removal of something, often to tidy or eliminate clutter.

was obliterated

Suggests complete destruction, an extreme consequence beyond simple removal.

was vanquished

Implies defeat and forceful removal, commonly used in competitive scenarios.

was cast aside

Emphasizes rejection and abandonment, rather than forceful movement.

FAQs

How can I use "was swept away" in a sentence?

You can use "was swept away" to describe something or someone being suddenly and forcefully removed or overcome, such as "The house "was swept away" by the flood" or "He "was swept away" by her charm".

What are some alternatives to "was swept away"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "was carried off", "was overwhelmed", or "was washed away" as alternatives to "was swept away".

Is it appropriate to use "was swept away" in formal writing?

Yes, "was swept away" is appropriate in formal writing as long as it accurately reflects the sudden and forceful nature of the event or feeling being described. However, consider your audience and the specific tone you wish to convey.

What's the difference between "was swept away" and "was carried away"?

"Was swept away" typically implies a forceful and often destructive removal by an external force, while "was carried away" often refers to being emotionally or mentally transported, losing control of one's actions or thoughts. For example, "He was carried away by the music".