carve out

USAGE SUMMARY

'carve out' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in the context of carving out a path, carving out a piece of something, or drawing out a new plan. Example: He carved out a new plan to make the business successful.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

You can't carve out exceptions.

The New York Times

Feel free to carve out your own.

The New York Times

How will I carve out my spot?

Cornell University

Instead, carve out your own career path".

The Guardian

I'm going to carve out a way".

The New York Times - Sports

struggled to carve out a new mission.

The New York Times

How do I carve out Untouchable Days?

Harvard Business Review

We need to carve out an urban approach.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

The CORSIA resolution resolves this carve-out.

The Washington Post

Other sorts of carve-out are being sought, too.

The Economist

(Credit to Skinner for the carve-out).

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "carve out", consider the specific nuance you want to convey. It can imply effort, precision, or even overcoming obstacles to create something new or separate something existing.

Common error

Don't use "carve out" when a simpler word like 'create' or 'make' would suffice. "Carve out" suggests a deliberate, sometimes challenging, process of creation or separation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "carve out" functions primarily as a verb phrase, often transitive, indicating the action of creating, obtaining, or separating something with deliberate effort. As Ludwig AI suggests, this can involve carving a path, a piece, or a plan.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

11%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

6%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase "carve out" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression commonly used to describe the act of creating, obtaining, or separating something through deliberate effort. It frequently appears in contexts related to News & Media, Academia, and Wiki content. The phrase suggests intention and purpose, making it suitable for formal, neutral, and even informal settings. When using "carve out", remember that this term often implies dedication and precision, avoid using it where simpler alternatives would suffice. Think about the specific action and how it implies both change and intention. To add variety to your writing, consider using related phrases such as "create a niche" or "allocate time". By understanding the nuances and best practices associated with "carve out", you can enhance the precision and impact of your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

create a niche

This alternative focuses on creating a specialized position or role.

establish a space

This phrase suggests setting up or securing a designated area or opportunity.

make a name for oneself

This implies building a reputation or recognition through one's actions.

find an opportunity

This option highlights discovering or identifying a chance for advancement or success.

secure a position

This emphasizes the act of obtaining or guaranteeing a specific role or status.

devise a strategy

This alternative focuses on creating a detailed plan to achieve a specific goal.

define a role

This suggests clearly outlining or establishing the parameters of a specific function.

extract a portion

This focuses on removing or separating a specific part from a whole.

allocate time

This alternative means setting aside a specific amount of time for a particular purpose.

free up time

This emphasizes the act of making time available by removing other commitments.

FAQs

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

You can use "carve out" to describe creating something with effort, like "She needed to "carve out" time for her hobbies" or establishing a specific area or role, such as "The company aimed to "carve out" a niche in the market".

What are some alternatives to "carve out"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "create a niche", "establish a space", or "allocate time".

Is "carve out" formal or informal?

"Carve out" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, as it is widely used in news articles, academic papers, and everyday conversations. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and sentence structure.

What does it mean to "carve out" a career path?

To ""carve out"" a career path means to create a unique and successful professional journey through deliberate effort, strategic decisions, and potentially overcoming challenges. It implies a personalized and actively shaped career trajectory.