I clear out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I clear out" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that you are removing items or making a space empty, often in the context of cleaning or organizing. Example: "Every spring, I clear out my closet to make room for new clothes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Should I clear out my piggy bank to buy Facebook shares?

The Washington Post

Also, how can I clear out the old one before I give it away? A. There are many ways to move files from one computer to another, including burning the data to a CD and copying it to the new computer, or linking the two with a network cable to transfer files.

The New York Times - Tech

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Vice

Or what's appropriate and/or safe to say around me. "Can I order a drink when Susan and I have dinner?" "Can Susan be in a bar?" "Should I clear out my liquor cabinet before Susan comes over?" "Am I allowed to ever ask her these things?" Yes, you are absolutely, 100percentt allowed to ask, and I welcome it.

HuffPost

'I clear out books and put them into storage.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I used to keep things for ever, but now I clear out those that don't work every fortnight, giving them to charity.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

"I cleared out a jazz theatre once," he recalled, nostalgically.

The New Yorker

First the assistant manager and I cleared out the theater.

The New York Times

During that period, I cleared out my entire house, not knowing what I was doing.

The Guardian - Music

With this I had nothing at all, because I cleared out everything.

The Guardian - Books

I cleared out all the other metadata to show that the crash has to be related to the name field.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I clear out" when you want to emphasize the action of removing items to create space or order, whether physical or metaphorical.

Common error

Avoid using "I clear out" in highly formal writing. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "remove", "eliminate", or "expunge" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I clear out" functions as a verb phrase, where "clear out" is a phrasal verb indicating the action of removing items or making a space empty. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Wiki

25%

Science

27%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I clear out" is a grammatically sound and usable expression for describing the act of removing items to create space or order. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability. It finds frequent use in news and media, wiki articles, and scientific texts. For more formal contexts, consider alternatives such as "remove" or "eliminate". The examples provided by Ludwig offer a broad range of usage scenarios for "I clear out", demonstrating its versatility in both literal and figurative contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I clean out

Emphasizes the cleaning aspect of removing items.

I declutter

Focuses on removing unnecessary items to create order.

I get rid of

Emphasizes discarding something unwanted.

I eliminate

Highlights the complete removal of something.

I throw out

Highlights the action of discarding something into the trash.

I purge

Suggests a thorough removal, often of negative or unwanted elements.

I empty

Focuses on making something vacant by removing contents.

I remove

Indicates the act of taking something away.

I dispose of

Refers to the act of getting rid of something, often trash or unwanted items.

I tidy up

Focuses on organizing and cleaning a space.

FAQs

What does "I clear out" mean?

The phrase "I clear out" means to remove items from a space, either physically or metaphorically, to make it empty or tidy. This can refer to cleaning a closet, emptying a bank account, or removing mental obstacles.

How can I use "I clear out" in a sentence?

You can use "I clear out" in various contexts. For example, "Every spring, I "clean out" my closet to make room for new clothes", or "I need to "get rid of" some mental blocks before I can focus on my goals".

What can I say instead of "I clear out"?

You can use alternatives like "I declutter", "I clean out", or "I eliminate" depending on the specific context.

Is "I clear out" formal or informal?

"I clear out" is generally considered informal. In more formal settings, consider using alternatives such as "I remove" or "I eliminate" for a more professional tone.