was washed away

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was washed away" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has been removed or destroyed by water or another force. Example: "After the heavy rain, the bridge was washed away, leaving the town cut off from the main road."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Our school was washed away!

The New York Times

The husband was washed away.

The New York Times

"It was washed away," he said.

The New York Times

One was washed away by the ocean.

The New York Times

The man waded out, and was washed away.

The New Yorker

Much was washed away through his drinking and frivolous spending.

Independent

All of that was washed away against the Saints, though.

The New York Times - Sports

In 1969, half our backyard was washed away from an atmospheric river during a wet year.

University of California, Berkeley

Their house was washed away, so the Naritas stayed at the home of a relative.

The New York Times - Magazine

The tephra island of Jólnir was washed away by late October.

Nature

It's about time this hideous brainwashing was washed away for good.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To avoid repetition, alternate "was washed away" with synonyms like "was swept away" or "was carried off", especially in descriptive writing. This adds variety and maintains reader engagement.

Common error

Avoid using "was washed away" metaphorically when a more precise verb would be more appropriate. For instance, instead of saying "His doubts were washed away by her explanation", consider "His doubts were dispelled by her explanation" for greater clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was washed away" functions as a passive verb construction, indicating that something experienced the action of being carried away or destroyed by water or a similar force. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in describing the effects of natural disasters.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

27%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Wiki

5%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was washed away" is a versatile and common passive construction used to describe the removal or destruction of something by water or similar forces. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage across various contexts, from news reports to scientific articles. While primarily literal, it can be used metaphorically. Related phrases include "was swept away" and "was carried off", offering slight variations in emphasis. When using the phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the destructive impact of water and avoid misusing it in contexts where a more precise verb would be appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was swept away

This alternative emphasizes the force of the movement, implying a quick and forceful removal.

was carried away

This suggests a removal by an external force, but can also imply being emotionally overwhelmed.

was swept off

Focuses on something being removed from a surface or location by a sweeping action.

was submerged

This implies being completely covered by water, which can lead to being washed away.

was flooded

Suggests inundation by water, often leading to damage and potential displacement.

was destroyed by the flood

Explicitly states the cause of destruction as a flood.

succumbed to the waters

A more poetic and figurative way of saying something was overcome by water.

was obliterated

Implies complete destruction and removal, although not necessarily by water.

was eliminated

Focuses on the removal aspect, with a broader application beyond just water-related events.

disappeared without trace

Highlights the complete disappearance of something, without specifying the cause.

FAQs

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

Use "was washed away" to describe something being physically moved or destroyed by water or a similar force. For instance, "The crops were washed away by the flood" or "The sandcastle was washed away by the tide".

What can I say instead of "was washed away"?

You can use alternatives like "was swept away", "was carried off", or "was obliterated" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "is washed away" instead of "was washed away"?

The choice between "is washed away" and "was washed away" depends on the tense you want to convey. "Is washed away" implies a present or ongoing action, while "was washed away" describes a completed action in the past.

Can "was washed away" be used metaphorically?

While primarily used literally, "was washed away" can be used metaphorically to describe the removal or disappearance of something, though it's essential to ensure the context remains clear. For example, you might say "All her hopes were washed away by the bad news".