be disposed of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be disposed of" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It means to get rid of or handle something, typically in a final or permanent way. Example: The old furniture in the storage room will be disposed of next week.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

They said dangerous chemicals should be disposed of more carefully.

The Economist

The first objection, the constitutional one, can be disposed of easily.

The New York Times

One argument for war often floated by officials ought to be disposed of quickly.

The New York Times

The total value of the assets to be disposed of was unclear on Thursday.

The New York Times

For instance, excess labour or capital which cannot be disposed of will reduce overall productivity.

BMC Health Services Research

Boxes must be disposed of immediately.

WikiHow

Prepare an area where any disposable products can be disposed of in a plausible manner.

WikiHow

Free disposability of outputs means that outputs can be disposed of at no cost.

BMC Health Services Research

How will they be disposed of?

The Guardian - Tech

By law, the waste must be disposed of by 2018.

The New York Times

Used condoms should also be disposed of carefully.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be disposed of", ensure the context is clear about how something should be disposed of, especially if it involves specific procedures or regulations. For example: "Chemical waste must "be disposed of" according to EPA guidelines."

Common error

Avoid using "be disposed of" without specifying what is being disposed of, or the method of disposal. Vague sentences like "The matter will "be disposed of" soon" lack clarity. Instead, provide specific information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be disposed of" functions as a passive verb construction. It indicates that the subject is the recipient of the action, rather than the performer. The Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

27%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be disposed of" is a grammatically correct and very common passive construction used to describe the act of getting rid of something, often with specific procedures or regulations in mind. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It is frequently found in News & Media, Science, and Wiki contexts, maintaining a neutral to formal register. When using the phrase, ensure clarity about what is being disposed of and how. Alternatives include "be discarded" and "be eliminated", depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be discarded

Focuses more directly on the act of throwing something away.

be eliminated

Suggests a more thorough and complete removal.

be gotten rid of

A more informal way of saying something is being discarded.

be removed

Indicates a simple act of taking something away.

be handled

Implies a specific method or process is used to deal with something.

be dealt with

Similar to "be handled", but suggests a more comprehensive approach.

be taken care of

Emphasizes responsibility and proper management.

be resolved

Implies the settlement of a problem or issue.

be finalized

Suggests completing a process or arrangement.

be concluded

Indicates bringing something to an end.

FAQs

How can I use "be disposed of" in a sentence?

Use "be disposed of" when you want to describe the act of getting rid of something, often in a specific or regulated way. For instance, "Used needles must "be disposed of" in a sharps container."

What is a synonym for "be disposed of"?

Synonyms include "be discarded", "be eliminated", or "be removed". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "be disposed of" and "be discarded"?

"Be disposed of" often implies a proper or regulated method of removal, whereas "be discarded" simply means to throw something away. For example, you might say "The trash was discarded", but "Hazardous waste must "be disposed of"".

Is it better to say "be disposed of" or "be gotten rid of"?

"Be disposed of" is more formal and often used in professional or official contexts. "Be gotten rid of" is more informal. For example, a contract might say assets must "be disposed of", while you might tell a friend to get rid of old clothes.