washed away

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "washed away" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when referring to something that has been carried away by water or a large amount of rain, for example: The heavy rains washed away the sand dunes along the shoreline.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Boardwalks washed away.

The New York Times

Farmland washed away.

The New York Times

"Everything is washed away".

The Guardian - Music

Few aquaculture rafts washed away.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Many people are washed away.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Most people are washed away.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"Our school was washed away!

The New York Times

The husband was washed away.

The New York Times

It would get washed away".

The New York Times - Science

All have been washed away.

The New York Times

But the car washed away".

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the impact of natural disasters, use "washed away" to vividly convey the force of water and its destructive consequences.

Common error

Avoid using "washed away" when the agent of removal isn't water. For instance, don't say "his hopes were washed away by failure"; instead, use "his hopes were dashed by failure."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "washed away" functions primarily as a phrasal verb, indicating the removal or destruction of something by the force of water. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

19%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "washed away" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrasal verb that vividly describes the removal or destruction of something by water. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's appropriate for various contexts, particularly in news, academic, and scientific writing. While versatile, ensure the imagery aligns with the context, avoiding its literal use where a different type of removal is meant. Its neutral tone and wide acceptance make it a valuable addition to one's descriptive vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

swept away

Similar in meaning, but implies a more forceful and rapid removal.

wiped out

Suggests complete destruction or elimination.

carried off

Emphasizes the action of being taken away by a force.

taken by the tide

Specifically refers to removal by tidal action.

eroded

Focuses on gradual wearing away or destruction.

obliterated

Highlights the complete destruction or removal.

destroyed

A general term for ruin or demolition.

dissolved

Implies a gradual disappearance or disintegration.

vanished

Emphasizes a sudden and mysterious disappearance.

disappeared

A general term for no longer being visible or present.

FAQs

How is "washed away" typically used in a sentence?

Generally, "washed away" is used to describe something being carried off or destroyed by a large volume of water. For example, "The flood "washed away" the bridge".

What are some alternatives to using "washed away"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "swept away", "carried off", or "obliterated".

Is it correct to use "washed away" to describe emotional feelings?

While it can be used metaphorically to describe the disappearance of feelings, it's often more effective to use stronger verbs like "dissipated" or "evaporated" for emotional contexts.

Can "washed away" be used for abstract concepts?

Yes, "washed away" can describe abstract concepts, such as "The scandal "washed away" his reputation", but ensure the imagery of water removing something is appropriate.