Eliminate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Eliminate" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when instructing someone to remove or get rid of something. Example: "To improve the clarity of your writing, you should eliminate unnecessary words."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He would simply give every family a tax exemption of $100,000, which would eliminate the income tax for 90 percent of those now filing returns.

The New York Times

However, the Nobel committee's citation said the prize was a more general one, to mark "its extensive efforts to eliminate chemical weapons" and nudge the few remaining nations that had not yet signed up to the organisation.

The Guardian

Upgrades such as installing a warning light system mean more expense, management and do not eliminate risk.

The Guardian

In other words: we do not, as yet, have an adequate response mechanism, an ability to eliminate the threat of terrorism the way decisive steps undertaken by the British SAS, the German GSG-9 and other units succeeded in reducing the number of cases involving hijacked aircraft to almost nil.

The Guardian - Opinion

First, he restated his determination to stick to his plan to eliminate the structural deficit by 2014/15.

The Guardian - Opinion

The institute's director, Paul Johnson, said reductions under Labour would be "quite a lot less" but could involve big cuts in the first couple of years after the election and would leave the country with a deficit of up to £30bn – while the Tories would eliminate it altogether.

The Guardian

It must also strive to eliminate the cause of disadvantage and promote greater prosperity for all.

The Guardian

In any case, here's an interesting tidbit from the Canadian Press: '"We don't want to eliminate the chase," said Florida Panthers GM Dale Tallon.

The Guardian - Sport

Toward the end of the interview, Peterson said he would reconsider using switches in the future, but said he would never "eliminate whooping my kids … because I know how being spanked has helped me in my life".

The Guardian - Sport

It has proved impossible to eliminate by normal means palm and fingerprints found in the flat.

The Guardian

"While the Chinese government is starting to eliminate some of the most destructive fishing practices in its own waters, the loopholes in existing policies lead to a double standard in Africa," Ahmed Diame, a Greenpeace Africa ocean campaigner, said in a statement.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "Eliminate", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being removed or gotten rid of. Avoid ambiguity by specifying the object or problem being eliminated.

Common error

While "Eliminate" is versatile, avoid overusing it in overly formal or academic writing where more precise verbs like "obviate", "eradicate", or "annul" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "Eliminate" is as a transitive verb. It requires a direct object, indicating what is being removed or destroyed. Ludwig confirms that the verb is frequently found within sentences sourced from reputable news and media outlets.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Eliminate" is a transitive verb used to express the complete removal of something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage, primarily in news and media contexts. When writing, it's important to specify what is being eliminated to avoid ambiguity, and to consider more formal alternatives like "eradicate" or "obviate" in academic settings. While "Eliminate" is versatile, avoid overuse by opting for a precise term that fits the intent. The tool provides example sentences from reliable sources, and states that the term is suitable for objective reporting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Get rid of

Focuses on discarding something unwanted.

Remove

A general term for taking something away.

Eradicate

Implies a complete and permanent removal.

Do away with

An idiomatic way of saying to get rid of something.

Abolish

Specifically refers to formally ending a system or practice.

Wipe out

Suggests complete destruction or removal.

Obviate

Means to remove a need or difficulty.

Extinguish

Often used for putting out a fire, but can be used metaphorically for ending something.

Annihilate

Implies complete and utter destruction.

Decimate

Refers to reducing something severely.

FAQs

How can I use "Eliminate" in a sentence?

"Eliminate" can be used in sentences where you want to express the complete removal of something. For instance, "We need to eliminate all sources of error" or "The new policy will eliminate unnecessary bureaucracy".

What are some alternatives to "Eliminate"?

Alternatives to "Eliminate" include "get rid of", "remove", "eradicate", and "abolish", depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "Eliminate" or "Remove"?

Both "Eliminate" and "Remove" are correct, but they carry slightly different connotations. "Eliminate" suggests a more thorough and complete removal, while "Remove" is a more general term. Choose the word that best fits the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "Eliminate" and "Reduce"?

"Eliminate" means to completely get rid of something, whereas "reduce" means to make something smaller or less. For example, you can eliminate a problem, but you can only reduce the size of a debt.