What are the definitions of “tear away”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Stop someone doing something unwillingly.
I had to TEAR him AWAY from the office for dinner.
- 2Remove a surface violently.
The roof was TORN AWAY in the hurricane.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “tear away”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb tear away is to stop someone from doing something unwillingly or to remove a surface violently. It can be used to describe situations where someone is forced to leave a place or activity, or when something is removed with force.
What are the different verb forms of “tear away”?
| Root Verb | tear away |
| Third Person Singular Present | tears away |
| Present Participle | tearing away |
| Simple Past | tore away |
| Past Participle | torn away |
Example
She had to tear away her son from the video game.
Example
He tears away the old wallpaper from the wall.
Example
The wind is tearing away the roof shingles.
Example
She tore away the wrapping paper from the gift.
Example
The sign had been torn away during the storm.
What kind of phrasal verb is “tear 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.)
Transitive verb
“tear away” is a transitive phrasal verb because it requires a direct object to complete its meaning. The direct object specifies what is being removed, obtained, or eliminated.
Example
She tore away the old wallpaper.
Example
He tore his son away from the video game.
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
“tear 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
She tore away the old wallpaper.
Example
He tore his son away from the video game.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “tear away”?
Good things to know
Does “tear away” have an informal or formal tone?
Tear away is a neutral phrasal verb that can be used in both informal and formal contexts. It is commonly used in everyday conversations and can also be used in more formal settings, depending on the specific context.
