Phrasal Verbs with Away: The Ultimate Guide to Improving Your English Fluency
Hey there! Today, I’m excited to share everything you need to know about phrasal verbs with "away". If you've ever felt confused about their meanings or how to use them correctly, you're not alone. Phrasal verbs are tricky but super useful—they make your English sound natural and fluent. So, let’s dive in and clarify everything step-by-step.
Introduction: Why Are Phrasal Verbs with "Away" Important?
If you're learning English, mastering phrasal verbs is essential. These multi-word expressions often pop up in everyday conversations, movies, and even professional settings. "Away" adds a sense of movement or removal, making the verb more specific.
For example:
- give away — to give something for free or reveal a secret
- run away — to escape or flee
- throw away — to discard
Knowing these can help you communicate more accurately and naturally.
What Are Phrasal Verbs with "Away"?
Definition of Phrasal Verbs
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Phrasal Verb | A verb combined with a particle (preposition or adverb) that changes its meaning. |
| Particle | The word (like "away") that combines with the verb to create a new meaning. |
Why "Away" Is Special
"Away" generally indicates removal, distance, or separation. Unlike some particles, "away" emphasizes the idea of moving something or someone out of a current place or state.
Common Phrasal Verbs with "Away" and Their Meanings
Let's explore some of the most common and useful phrasal verbs with "away," along with their meanings and example sentences.
| Phrasal Verb | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Give away | To donate or gift; to reveal a secret | She decided to give away her old clothes to charity. |
| Run away | To escape or flee from a place or situation | The dog tried to run away when it saw the bath coming. |
| Throw away | To discard something | Please don't throw away that old report. |
| Take away | To remove; to carry something away | The waiter will take away your plate after you’re done. |
| Go away | To leave or depart | They decided to go away for the weekend. |
| Pay away | To settle a debt or obligation gradually | He worked hard to pay away his student loans. |
| Keep away | To stay at a distance; avoid contact | Keep away from the dangerous machinery. |
| Set away | To save or reserve for later | She set away some money for her vacation. |
| Split away | To break away or separate from a group or organization | Several members split away to form a new club. |
How to Use Phrasal Verbs with "Away" Effectively
Understanding the meanings is only the first step. Here's how you can confidently incorporate these into your speech and writing:
Step-by-step guide:
- Identify Context: Determine if the action involves removal, distance, or separation.
- Select the Correct Verb: Match the context with the appropriate phrasal verb.
- Use in Sentences: Practice making sentences with each phrasal verb.
- Observe Usage: Pay attention to this structure when listening or reading.
Example activity:
If you want to express that someone left the room quickly, use "go away": "She told her kids to go away during her phone call."
Detailed Data-Driven Comparison Table of Key Phrasal Verbs
| Verb | Meaning | Formal Context? | Common Use Cases | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| give away | donate, reveal | Yes | Charities, secrets | She gave away her old books. |
| run away | escape, flee | No | Emergencies, narratives | The thief ran away before the police arrived. |
| throw away | discard, eliminate | Yes | Cleaning, waste management | Don't throw away your leftovers. |
| take away | remove, confiscate | Formal, casual | Restaurants, removals | The waiter took away our plates. |
| go away | depart, leave | Casual | Travel, advice | The kids went away for summer camp. |
| pay away | settle gradually | Formal | Debt reduction | He paid away his credit card debt slowly. |
| keep away | stay at a distance | Formal, casual | Safety instructions | Keep away from the edge. |
| set away | save, reserve | Formal | Financial planning | She set away some money monthly. |
| split away | break off, separate | Formal, literary | Organizational splits | The group split away to form a new startup. |
Tips for Success with "Away" Phrasal Verbs
- Context matters: Always match the verb to the situation.
- Use mnemonics: Remember that "away" often indicates movement out of a place or state.
- Practice regularly: Incorporate these into sentences daily.
- Listen to native speakers: Pay attention to how they use these verbs in conversations, movies, or podcasts.
- Use visual aids: Create flashcards and diagrams to reinforce understanding.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
| Mistake | Correct Approach | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Confusing "give away" with "give up" | Use "give away" for donating, "give up" for quitting | They have different meanings, so context is key. |
| Using "go away" when meaning "come closer" | "Go away" means leave, not approach | Clarify the direction implied by the phrase. |
| Overusing "throw away" in formal writing | Use "discard" or "eliminate" instead | More formal contexts prefer synonyms over casual phrasal verbs. |
| Forgetting the object after the verb | Mention what is being removed, given, etc. | "He threw away" (what?) — Always specify. |
Similar Variations and Alternative Phrases
Many phrasal verbs with "away" can be replaced or used interchangeably depending on tone and context:
| Phrasal Verb | Possible Alternatives | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Give away | Donate, hand out, reveal | Use depending on whether it's donation or secret revealing |
| Run away | Escape, bolt, flee | "Bolt" adds a sense of quick movement. |
| Throw away | Discard, toss out | Slightly more formal options: "eliminate", "dispose of". |
| Go away | Leave, depart, clear out | "Depart" can sound more formal. |
| Pay away | Pay off, settle gradually | "Pay off" is more common in casual speech. |
Why Is Using "Away" Phrasal Verbs Important?
Incorporating these phrasal verbs in your speech and writing can:
- Make your language sound more natural.
- Help you understand native speakers better.
- Enhance your vocabulary.
- Improve your fluency in both conversational and formal contexts.
Practice Exercises
Let's solidify your understanding with some fun exercises!
1. Fill-in-the-blank
a) After cleaning the garage, I decided to ____ old tools I no longer use.
b) The thief ____ the scene before the police arrived.
c) Can you ____ this box to the basement?
2. Error Correction
Identify and correct the mistake:
a) She has thrown away her old phone yesterday.
b) They will go away to vacation next weekend.
c) I donated my clothes and gave away some toys.
3. Identification
Circle the correct phrasal verb:
a) Please ____ those papers. / Please throw away those papers.
b) The kids still haven’t ____ from the park. / gone away
c) He decided to ____ his debts gradually. / pay away
4. Sentence Construction
Create sentences using these verbs:
- give away
- run away
- set away
5. Category Matching
Match the phrasal verb to the best description:
| Phrasal Verb | Category |
|---|---|
| Keep away | ___ |
| Split away | ___ |
| Set away | ___ |
Summary and Final Thoughts
That’s a comprehensive rundown of phrasal verbs with "away". These verbs aren’t just vocabulary—they’re tools that help you speak and write more naturally. Remember, understanding the meanings, practicing use, and recognizing context are key.
Whether you're chatting with friends, writing an essay, or watching movies, these verbs will come in handy. Keep practicing, stay curious, and soon, they’ll become a seamless part of your English toolkit!
So, next time you hear someone say they "run away" or "give away" something, you'll understand exactly what they mean—and be able to do the same. Happy learning!