What is away? Pronunciation and usage in English

away means . Learn how to pronounce and use away through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of away

awayadverb

/əˈweɪ/
Definition & pronunciation of away

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "away" in English. There are two common pronunciations, and they can sound quite different!

1. The Most Common Pronunciation (IPA: /eɪ/ - "ay")

  • This is the pronunciation you'll hear most of the time.

  • Sounds like: "ay" as in "day" or "say".

  • Emphasis: It's a short, bright sound.

    • Example: “I’m going away on vacation.” (pronounced “Eye-m gay-ing ay-way on vacation.”)

2. An Older, Less Common Pronunciation (IPA: /əˈweɪ/ - "uh-way")

  • This is more common in British English, and you might hear it in older movies or television.

  • Sounds like: "uh-way" – with a slight pause and a drawn-out "ay" sound.

  • Emphasis: The “uh” is a bit emphasized.

    • Example: “I’m going away on vacation.” (pronounced “Eye-m gay-ing uh-way on vacation.”)

Here’s a breakdown to help you:

Feature /eɪ/ (Common) /əˈweɪ/ (Less Common)
Sound “ay” “uh-way”
Stress On the first syllable On the second syllable
Typical Region American English British English

How to practice:

  1. Say "ay" (like in "day"). Feel the short, quick sound.
  2. Say "uh-way" – consciously pause slightly before the "way".

Resources for Hearing the Pronunciation:

  • ForSlow: https://forvo.com/word/%C3%A7away/ (This website allows you to hear the word pronounced by native speakers from different regions.)
  • YouTube: Search for "how to pronounce away" on YouTube and you'll find many audio and video tutorials.

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • Where are you located (country or region)? (This can help me determine which pronunciation is more likely to be used by native speakers.)

Usage and examples with the word away in English

Let's break down how to use the word "away" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with multiple functions! Here's a detailed look, categorized for clarity:

1. As a Preposition (Most Common Use)

  • Direction: This is the most frequent way to use "away." It indicates movement or travel in a particular direction.

    • "I’m going away for the weekend." (Traveling away)
    • "He walked away from the crowd." (Moving in a direction away)
    • "Let’s drive away." (Heading in a certain direction)
    • "The bus goes away from the city center."
  • Distance: It can show distance from a place.

    • "The house is far away." (A long distance from)
    • "She’s away from her family." (Living far from them)

2. As an Adverb (Describing Movement)

  • With Verbs of Motion: "Away" often modifies verbs describing movement, adding emphasis.
    • "He ran away." (Quickly and forcefully)
    • "They flew away." (Rapidly and in a soaring manner)
    • "The dog barked away at the mailman." (Repulsively)

3. As Part of Phrases

  • "Run away": To escape a difficult situation.
  • "Take away": To remove or get rid of something. “Can you take away the plate?”
  • "Get away": To escape, to leave. “Don’t get away!”
  • "Move away": To relocate. “We’re moving away to the countryside.”
  • "Look away": To avert your eyes. “I couldn’t look away from the scene.”
  • "Stay away": To avoid someone or something. “Stay away from the fire!”

4. "Away From" - A Common Combination

  • This is a very frequent pairing and reinforces the idea of separation or distance.
    • "I need to get away from stress.”
    • “He’s away from home.”

5. "Away With" – Archaic/Figurative

  • Historically, “away with you!” meant “go away!” It’s far less common now, but you might encounter the phrase in older literature.

Key Differences to Note:

  • "Away" vs. "Out": While they can sometimes overlap, there's a distinction.
    • "Away" generally implies movement to a different location.
    • "Out" often implies moving from a place or removing something. ("Put the book out on the table.")

Examples to Illustrate the Nuances:

  • "She's away on vacation." (She’s traveling to a different location.)
  • "Please put the trash out." (Remove the trash from the house.)
  • “They are away from the party.” (They’re not at the party—they're elsewhere.)

Resources for Further Learning:

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of context are you thinking about? (e.g., writing a story, having a conversation, studying grammar?)

Idioms of the word away

away with…
(literary)used to say that you would like to be rid of somebody/something
  • Away with all these rules and regulations!
blow/clear the cobwebs away
to help somebody have a fresh, lively state of mind again
  • A brisk walk should blow the cobwebs away.
dance the night away
to dance for the whole evening or night
    far and away
    by a very great amount
    • She's far and away the best player.
    right away/off
    immediately; without delay
    • I want it sent right away.
    • I told him right off what I thought of him.
    straight away
    immediately; without delay
    • I'll do it straight away.

    Practice with vocabulary away


    Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

    1. She decided to stay _____ from social media for a while.
    2. The meeting was moved to a location _____ from the main office.
    3. He lives nearby, just a few blocks _____.
    4. The storm passed, so the danger was finally _____.

    Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

    1. The dog ran _____ when it saw the stranger.
      a) away
      b) close
      c) near
      d) towards

    2. The new policy keeps employees _____ from excessive overtime.
      a) away
      b) nearby
      c) close
      d) distant

    3. The children were told to stay _____ from the edge of the cliff.
      a) away
      b) far
      c) near
      d) towards

    4. The hotel is located _____ the city center, making it convenient for tourists.
      a) near
      b) away
      c) far
      d) distant

    5. The package was sent _____ from the original destination by mistake.
      a) towards
      b) away
      c) nearby
      d) close


    Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

    1. The old building was dismantled and removed.
    2. She moved to a different city to start a new life.
    3. The protesters were told to leave the area immediately.

    Answer:

    Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

    1. away
    2. away
    3. away
    4. over

    Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

    1. a) away
    2. a) away
    3. a) away
    4. a) near
    5. b) away

    Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

    1. The old building was taken away.
    2. She moved away to start a new life.
    3. The protesters were told to move away from the area immediately.

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