The phrase can mean leaving a place or travelling away, often for a holiday.

The idea

Use go away without a direct object. Add for and a period for the length of a trip. The past is went away.

Examples

  • The cat went away quietly.
  • We are going away for a week.
  • They went away to the coast in July.
  • Please go away and leave me alone.
  • Is your family going away this summer?
  • The visitors went away after the show.

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Watch out

The command go away can sound rude or angry, even with please. Choose gentler words when appropriate.

Try it yourself

  1. Choose the correct option. The bird ___ away yesterday. (went / go)

    Show answer or example answer

    went

    went marks a departure completed yesterday.

  2. Choose the correct option. We are going away ___ three days. (for / at)

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    for

    for introduces the length of the trip.

  3. Choose the correct option. Can you ___ away next weekend? (go / went)

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    go

    After can, use the base form go.

Use it today

Describe a trip away and say how long it lasts.