clear the area

USAGE SUMMARY

"clear the area" is correct and can be used in written English.
This phrase is typically used when someone needs to remove anyone or anything from a certain area because something is about to happen. For example, "The fire alarm was ringing, so I yelled 'clear the area!'".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They have been told to clear the area by 3pm.

The Guardian

The Syrian army came to clear the area.

The Guardian

Then he repeated, "clear the area" several more times.

The Washington Post

Police officials tried to clear the area of bystanders.

The New York Times

I just knew it all was a myth just to clear the area of wild turkeys!

Stanford University

The provincial security forces are unable to clear the area, he said.

The Guardian

His actions helped clear the area, though the bomb did go off.

The Guardian - Film

Panic swept the streets as people struggled to clear the area.

The Guardian

His family left, but when the police came by to clear the area he hid.

The New Yorker

The goal, he said, is to "clear the area of Hangu of the Taliban".

The New York Times

The man, brandishing a gun, demanded that they "clear the area immediately".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "clear the area" in written instructions, be specific about the boundaries of the area to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify "clear the area within 10 feet of the stage".

Common error

Avoid repeatedly using "clear the area" in descriptive passages, as it can sound repetitive. Use varied vocabulary such as "evacuate", "disperse", or more descriptive phrasing to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clear the area" functions primarily as an imperative, instructing or commanding someone to evacuate or empty a specific location. Ludwig AI indicates this is a common and correct usage. Examples show it used by authorities, in emergency situations, and during routine procedures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Wiki

20%

Science

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "clear the area" is a common and grammatically correct imperative phrase used to instruct the evacuation of a specific location. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is used in a wide array of contexts, particularly in news, media, and safety instructions. When employing this phrase, be mindful of the context and intended audience to ensure clarity and urgency. For formal scenarios, consider alternatives like "evacuate the premises". The phrase appears most frequently in the sources like The Guardian, The New York Times, and The Washington Post.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

evacuate the premises

This is a more formal way to instruct people to leave a building or location, often used in emergency situations.

remove all personnel

This is a professional way to state that all staff need to leave a designated place.

withdraw from the location

It's a formal instruction to retreat or pull back from a particular place.

empty the space

This phrase emphasizes the act of making a space completely devoid of people or things.

disperse the crowd

This is typically used when needing to break up or scatter a group of people.

leave the vicinity

This directs individuals to depart from the immediate surroundings.

make way

This is a directive that requests others to open up a path or space.

get out of the way

This is an informal way of telling someone to move so that they don't obstruct something.

move along

This is an informal command, urging someone to continue moving and not linger.

shoo away

This is a very casual way to dismiss someone or something, often used for animals or unwanted individuals.

FAQs

How can I use "clear the area" in a sentence?

You can use "clear the area" as an imperative, such as "Clear the area, there's a gas leak!" or in a descriptive sense, like "The police instructed everyone to clear the area after the bomb threat".

What is a more formal alternative to "clear the area"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "evacuate the premises" or "remove all personnel", depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to specify why I need people to "clear the area"?

While not always required, providing a reason when asking someone to "clear the area" often encourages quicker compliance and reduces confusion. For example, "Clear the area, construction will begin in 10 minutes".

What's the difference between "clear the area" and "make way"?

"Clear the area" implies completely vacating a space, while "make way" simply requests that people move aside to create a path or opening.