Away

This time, we are going to learn about 'away'. Let's see what we can get out of this one.

How To Use "Away" in English

'Away' mainly functions as an adverb and an adjective. In this lesson, we will discuss how to learn and use it.

Functions of 'Away'

'Away' as an Adverb

As stated above, 'away' can be an adverb. Below, we are going to learn about the different kinds of adverbs it can be:

Use

'Away' as an Adverb of Place

'Away' can be an adverb of place. Let us take a look at the list below to understand its different meanings:

  • When something/someone is at some distance from another:

So, you mean the beach is miles away from here?

It's better that factories be away from the city

'Away' as an Adverb of Movement and Direction

We can also use 'away' as an adverb of movement and direction to show that the action takes place at a another direction. Look at the examples below:

Mom, I said just walk away.

The children started running away hopelessly.

'Away' as an Adverb of Time

We can also use 'away' as an adverb of time to show that something is far away in time. Look at the examples below:

You're thinking about Easter right now? It's weeks away.

People who think about what might happen months away are mainly anxious.

'Away' as an Adverb of Manner

'Away' can also be an adverb of manner. Let us look at the list below to get a glimpse of all its meanings:

  • When we want to indicate that someone is not present, we use 'away':

A : Excuse me, can I speak to the manager, please?

B : I'm afraid no, madam. He's away.

  • When we want to show that something is fading away in the air, we use 'away':

The witch just faded away.

I couldn't believe how all the things you had told me simply faded away.

  • When we want to show that one team is in the rival's ground, we use 'away':

The girls will be playing away tomorrow night.

  • When we want to indicate that something is taking place with a lot of force, we use 'away':

The children were screaming away when the teacher came.

The guests started laughing away at their own jokes.

Position in a Sentence

Since 'away' is an adverb here, it mainly comes after verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs and modifies them. Let us take a look at the following examples for more clarification:

I don't know, they just went away.

The enemy seemed to just vanish away.

'Away' as an Adjective

As mentioned above, 'away' can also be an adjective, we will learn all about it below:

Use

'Away' as an Attributive Adjective

When 'away' is an attributive adjective, it is limited to one meaning. In sports, we use 'away' to show that the action took place on the rival's ground. Look below:

The red team had an away match last month.

Position in a Sentence

Since 'away' is an attributive adjective, it only comes before nouns. Let us take a look at the following examples for more clarification:

Manchester United had an away win last night.

I thought you said my team had an away goal.

Idioms and Expressions with 'Away'

We have several idioms and expressions with 'away'. Below, we will learn all there is about them:

  • Away with: This one is mainly used in literary texts when we want to indicate that we want to get rid of something/someone:

Away with all this madness, ladies.

  • Dance the night away: When someone dances the whole night, we use this one:

Marie and John danced the night away.

  • Right away: When something must be done immediately:

Ok, I'll come to the class right away!

I'm sorry, but mom told me to call her right away.

  • Far and away: When we want to show something is in a particular way to a great extent, we use this:

James and Hannah are far and away the best figure skaters.

This book is far and away the best source for the IELTS exam.

  • Straight away: This one also means that something must be done without any delays:

The master told Dubby to stop Harry Potter from returning back to Hogwarts straight away.

James ran home straight away.

  • Clear/blow the cobwebs away: When we want to freshen someone's mind, we use it:

Come one, listening to this kind of melody helps you clear the cobwebs away.

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