being free of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "being free of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the absence of something undesirable or burdensome. Example: "She felt a sense of relief, being free of the stress that had been weighing her down."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But recovery doesn't have to mean being free of all symptoms.

Independent

But despite being free of debt, it has been forced to appoint Deloitte as administrator.

The Guardian - Business

They do so to preserve the social machismo of being free of responsibilities.

The New York Times - Style

Now, Mr. Cramer said he looked forward to being free of those constraints.

The New York Times

Her 10-year anniversary of being free of drugs was Oct. 23.

The New York Times

Survivors say that being cancer-free does not mean being free of cancer.

The New York Times - Health

We would just have to bet on Madeira's watercourses being free of cow muck and chemicals.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Children born prematurely, despite being free of intellectual and sensorineural deficits, are at risk of motor dysfunction.

Early Human Development

Later on, the water being free of salt will be extracted from the humid air by cooling it.

Desalination

Cash Isas also have the distinct advantage of being free of inheritance tax for married couples and civil partners".

The Guardian - Money

Yet, being free of the vegetative symptoms of my breakdown, I did not imagine that I might still be depressed.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for conciseness, replace "being free of" with "without" if the context allows. For example, "a product being free of chemicals" can be shortened to "a product without chemicals".

Common error

Avoid constructions that unnecessarily prolong sentences. Instead of "the company is known for being free of debt", consider "the company is known for its lack of debt" or "the company is debt-free."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "being free of" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun by describing a state of absence or exemption. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. Examples demonstrate its use in various contexts to indicate the lack of something, such as "being free of debt" or "being free of symptoms".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "being free of" is a versatile and grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to denote the absence of something, typically undesirable. According to Ludwig AI, it is widely accepted and correctly used. It's prevalent across various contexts, from News & Media to Science, highlighting its broad applicability. While alternatives like "without" or "devoid of" exist, "being free of" offers a specific nuance that emphasizes liberation or exemption. Remember to avoid passive voice constructions when using this phrase to maintain conciseness and clarity in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

without

Indicates the absence of something, often used as a simpler alternative.

devoid of

Emphasizes a complete lack of something, suggesting a stronger absence.

lacking

Highlights the deficiency or absence of a particular element.

exempt from

Specifically denotes release from an obligation or requirement.

clear of

Implies the absence of something, particularly obstructions or dangers.

rid of

Suggests the act of eliminating something unwanted.

independent of

Indicates not being controlled or influenced by something.

unburdened by

Highlights the relief and lightness resulting from the absence of a burden.

released from

Focuses on the act of being liberated or freed from something.

unencumbered by

Emphasizes the ease and efficiency gained from the absence of hindrances.

FAQs

What does "being free of" mean?

The phrase "being free of" means to be without something, typically something undesirable or burdensome. It indicates a state of absence or release from a particular condition or obligation.

What can I say instead of "being free of"?

You can use alternatives like "without", "devoid of", or "exempt from" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "free from" or "free of"?

Both "free from" and "free of" are grammatically correct and often interchangeable. However, "free of" is generally more common in contemporary usage, especially in American English. "Free from" might be preferred in some contexts where it emphasizes protection or deliverance.

How to use "being free of" in a sentence?

You can use "being free of" to describe a state where something is absent or eliminated. For example: "being free of debt has been great for their marriage" or "the wings, "being free of engines", have advantages aerodynamically".