What are the definitions of “boil away”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1To evaporate or disappear through boiling.
Allow the liquid to boil away until you are left with tender vegetables and little moisture left in the pan.
- 2To evaporate completely.
Check every 20 minutes to make sure the water has not boiled away.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “boil away”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb boil away is to evaporate or disappear through boiling. It is often used when cooking or heating a liquid until it evaporates and leaves behind a residue or a more concentrated substance.
What are the different verb forms of “boil away”?
| Root Verb | boil away |
| Third Person Singular Present | boils away |
| Present Participle | boiling away |
| Simple Past | boiled away |
| Past Participle | boiled away |
Example
The water will boil away if you leave it on the stove for too long.
Example
The sauce boils away as it simmers on low heat.
Example
The liquid is boiling away in the pot, leaving behind a thick mixture.
Example
The water boiled away and left the pot dry.
Example
The excess liquid had boiled away, leaving a concentrated sauce.
What kind of phrasal verb is “boil away”?
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a transitive and intransitive verb? - A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.) - An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)
Intransitive verb
“boil away” is an intransitive phrasal verb because it doesn't require an object to complete its meaning. It forms a complete sentence without an object.
Example
The water boiled away quickly.
Example
The liquid boiled away until only a thick sauce remained.
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb? - A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle. - An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.
Inseparable
“boil away” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.
Example
The water boiled away quickly.
Example
The liquid boiled away until only a thick sauce remained.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “boil away”?
Good things to know
Does “boil away” have an informal or formal tone?
Boil away is a neutral phrasal verb that can be used in both informal and formal contexts. It is commonly used in cooking and scientific contexts, as well as in everyday conversations.
