as he removed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as he removed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action that is happening simultaneously with the act of removing something. Example: "As he removed the lid from the box, a cloud of dust filled the air."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

"You can only have one," the waiter said, smiling puckishly as he removed the glasses and replaced them with crisp salty wafers (rice one night, tapioca another) and a trio of sauces -- cilantro, tamarind and a savory apple made luscious with olive oil, a shot of lemon juice and cumin.

The New York Times

"Can I take these for you?" Serpico asked as he removed the plates.

The New Yorker

He kept Kaitlyn away from the fish as he removed the hook.

The New York Times

Another shrugged as he removed his shirt to reveal a back scarred by pellets.

The New York Times

Mikal clearly sensed my agony as he removed the acupuncture needles.

The New York Times

The surgeon found a gallbladder full of gangrene; the organ fell to pieces as he removed it, he said.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

"There!" he says as he removes a thin smudge.

Independent

"In excess of $100 million," he says, breaking into a light sweat as he removes his suit jacket.

The New York Times

"We're all very excited for him," he says as he removes the dressing covering the boy's back.

The Guardian

The ruling came as part of what the judge said would be his final orders in the case as he removes himself from supervision of the schools.

The New York Times

His most successful, "Joseph Had a Little Overcoat," follows Joseph as he removes his garments until all that's left is a button.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as he removed" to clearly indicate simultaneous actions, enhancing narrative flow. For example, "As he removed the bandage, he noticed the wound was healing well."

Common error

Avoid shifting tenses mid-sentence. Ensure the tense used with "as he removed" aligns with the rest of the sentence. Incorrect: "As he removed the key, the door creaks open." Correct: "As he removed the key, the door creaked open."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as he removed" functions as an adverbial clause of time, modifying the main clause by indicating when the action described in the main clause occurred. This is supported by Ludwig's examples, which showcase its use in various sentences to provide temporal context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as he removed" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase used to indicate simultaneous actions. As Ludwig AI confirms, this adverbial phrase functions to provide temporal context, making it suitable for diverse writing styles. Predominantly found in news and media sources, it maintains a neutral register. When using this phrase, ensure tense consistency and explore alternatives to add nuance. Consider related phrases like "while he was removing" or "during his removal" to further refine your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

while he was removing

Emphasizes the duration of the removal action.

during his removal

Focuses on the time period when the removal occurred.

in the process of removing

Highlights the steps involved in taking something away.

as he detached

Implies a separation or disconnection.

when he took away

Uses simpler vocabulary to convey the same meaning.

upon taking off

More formal, indicating something being taken off or removed.

while extracting

Suggests careful or precise removal.

as he withdrew

Implies a pulling back or taking away.

during the extraction

Nominalization focusing on the process of extracting.

when dislodging

Suggests freeing something from a fixed position.

FAQs

How can I use "as he removed" in a sentence?

Use "as he removed" to describe an action happening concurrently with the act of removing something. For example, "As he removed his coat, he greeted his guests warmly."

What are some alternatives to "as he removed"?

You can use alternatives like "while he was removing", "during his removal", or "in the process of removing", depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "as he removed" and "after he removed"?

Yes, "as he removed" implies simultaneity, while "after he removed" indicates that the removal happened before the subsequent action. For example, "As he removed the mask, his identity was revealed" versus "After he removed the mask, he spoke to the crowd".

Can I use "as he removed" in formal writing?

Yes, "as he removed" is suitable for both formal and informal writing contexts, as it is grammatically correct and widely understood.