water away

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "water away" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in a context where something is being washed or carried off by water, but it is not commonly recognized. Example: "The heavy rain caused the soil to water away, leaving the garden vulnerable."

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Tip any excess water away.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"You definitely don't want to take the water away".

The New York Times

The trucks also carry water away from the site.

The New York Times

Proper grading will help divert water away from the house.

The New York Times

So, the residents have created several small channels that carry dirty water away from their homes.

The New York Times

As the crisis drags on, some Kyrgyzstani politicians have suggested diverting irrigation water away from Uzbekistan.

The Economist

"We seem to want to get water away into drains as quickly as possible," he says.

The Guardian

It would swipe water away in a light rain, pause, then swipe again.

The New York Times

When the tide rises very high, the forest keeps the water away and prevents flooding.

The Guardian

Outside, make sure that gutters are clear and that downspouts carry water away from the house.

The New York Times

The key is good drainage; you want to get water away from a vulnerable area.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "water away", ensure the context clearly indicates the method or direction of water removal to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify whether you are pumping, draining, or diverting water.

Common error

Avoid using "water away" in contexts where it could be misinterpreted as simply being near water. Instead, ensure the sentence emphasizes the action of removing or diverting water, for example, "divert "water away" from the foundation" rather than "the house is near the water away".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "water away" primarily functions as a phrasal verb. It often describes the act of removing, diverting, or drawing water from a specific location. Ludwig AI suggests the phrase may cause confusion if not used in the right context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Wiki

29%

Science

26%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

3%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "water away" is a versatile phrasal verb used to describe the act of removing or diverting water. As analyzed by Ludwig, it appears frequently in news, wikis, and scientific contexts. To ensure clarity, it's important to specify the method of water removal, such as draining, pumping, or diverting. While widely used, more formal alternatives like "remove water" may be preferred in certain contexts. Common errors involve ambiguity, where the phrase could be misinterpreted as simply being near water. By following best practices and understanding its varied applications, you can effectively incorporate "water away" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remove water

A general term for taking water out of a place.

drain water

Focuses on the action of removing water, often through a channel or device.

divert water

Emphasizes changing the course of water flow.

keep water out

Focuses on preventing water from entering a space or area.

pump out water

Highlights the mechanical extraction of water.

extract water

Highlights the process of pulling water out from something.

channel water

Suggests guiding water along a specific path.

draw water off

Implies gradually removing water, often from a contained source.

wick away moisture

Specifically refers to drawing moisture away from a surface, often in fabrics.

discharge water

Suggests releasing water, usually from a specific point.

FAQs

How can I use "water away" in a sentence about flood prevention?

You might say, "The city is building new canals to "divert water" away from residential areas during heavy rains."

What's a more formal way to say "water away" in a scientific paper?

In a scientific context, consider using phrases like "remove water", "extract water", or "drain water" to maintain a professional tone.

Is it correct to use "water away" when talking about moisture-wicking fabrics?

Yes, you can use "water away" in this context, as in "The fabric is designed to "wick away moisture", keeping you dry."

What can I say instead of "water away" when describing how to protect a house from rain?

Alternatives include "channel water", "direct water", or ""divert water" away from the foundation to prevent water damage."