What are the definitions of “wash away”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1When floods or waves completely remove a structure, building, etc..
The ice cream stall on the beach was WASHED AWAY in the storm last night.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “wash away”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb wash away is when water, such as floods or waves, completely removes a structure, building, or other objects. This often happens during natural disasters like storms, heavy rain, or tsunamis.
What are the different verb forms of “wash away”?
| Root Verb | wash away |
| Third Person Singular Present | washes away |
| Present Participle | washing away |
| Simple Past | washed away |
| Past Participle | washed away |
Example
The heavy rain might wash away the sandcastle we built.
Example
The river washes away soil from the riverbank during floods.
Example
The waves are washing away the footprints on the beach.
Example
The storm washed away several houses in the coastal village.
Example
Many trees were washed away by the landslide.
What kind of phrasal verb is “wash 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
“wash 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
The flood washed away the bridge.
Example
Heavy rain washed the soil away from the garden.
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
“wash 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 flood washed away the bridge.
Example
Heavy rain washed the soil away from the garden.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “wash away”?
Good things to know
Does “wash away” have an informal or formal tone?
Wash away is a neutral phrasal verb that can be used in both informal and formal contexts. It is commonly used in everyday conversations, news reports, and even in literature. The formality of the phrasal verb depends on the context in which it is used.
