clear the path for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "clear the path for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of making something easier or more accessible for someone or something to proceed. Example: "The new policy aims to clear the path for innovative solutions in the industry."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Increasing the bid could clear the path for Sprint and Softbank to get down to business.

The New York Times

Then he shortened one of the car's seats to clear the path for rotating legs.

The New York Times

That will clear the path for the home secretary to become prime minister.

The Guardian

Thousands of beech trees have been felled to clear the path for the link.

The Guardian

Nolo founder Ralph "Jake" Warner '66 helped clear the path for four 2013 graduates who are rethinking legal services.

University of California, Berkeley

But the main consequence of this act, it turns out, has been to clear the path for Mr Putin's man.

The Economist

"He constantly sought to defuse conflict, to clear the path for seeing the best in others," she said.

The New York Times

Their fumbling helped to clear the path for Zhukov, whose mechanized forces by January 31 , 1945 were at Küstrin, on the lower Oder, only 40 miles from Berlin.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Anand's 16... Nde5 was even more surprising because his knight could be taken by a pawn, but he wanted to clear the path for the Black queen.

The New York Times

Broadly speaking, his approach was ripped right from the pages of the conservative playbook: shrink the government and clear the path for private development.

The New York Times - Magazine

It will, for example, underpin the relatively strong dollar and it will clear the path for our own rate rise in the next few months.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "clear the path for" when you want to emphasize the removal of obstacles to facilitate progress or make something easier.

Common error

Avoid using "clear the path for" when the subject doesn't have the authority or capability to actually remove obstacles. Ensure the subject's actions directly result in making things easier for the object.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clear the path for" functions as a phrasal verb, acting as a transitive verb that requires an object. It signifies the action of removing obstacles or creating conditions that facilitate progress or success for someone or something. Ludwig shows examples across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

3%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "clear the path for" is a commonly used phrasal verb that signifies the act of removing obstacles or creating favorable conditions for something or someone to progress. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It is most frequently found in News & Media, Academia, and Formal & Business contexts. Alternatives include "pave the way for" and "facilitate the process for". When using the phrase, ensure that the subject has the agency to remove the obstacles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pave the way for

Implies creating a foundation or conditions for something to happen.

facilitate the process for

Focuses on making a specific process easier to complete.

make way for

A more direct and forceful expression of allowing something to proceed.

open the door for

Suggests creating an opportunity or access.

enable the progression of

Formal and emphasizes the forward movement of something.

promote the advancement of

Similar to 'enable,' but with a stronger connotation of active support.

aid the development of

Specifically refers to helping something grow or evolve.

assist in the progress of

Focuses on providing help to ensure forward movement.

expedite the implementation of

Highlights speeding up the execution or putting something into effect.

unchain the flow of

Emphasizes removing obstacles that hinder natural progress.

FAQs

What does "clear the path for" mean?

The phrase "clear the path for" means to remove obstacles or make it easier for something or someone to proceed or succeed. It implies creating favorable conditions for progress.

How can I use "clear the path for" in a sentence?

You can use "clear the path for" to describe actions that facilitate progress, such as "The new regulations "pave the way for" innovation" or "The agreement will "make way for" economic growth".

What are some alternatives to "clear the path for"?

Alternatives include "pave the way for", "facilitate the process for", "open the door for", or "make way for", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "clear the path for" instead of "help" or "assist"?

"Clear the path for" is more appropriate when you are specifically removing barriers or obstacles. "Help" or "assist" are more general and can refer to providing support without necessarily removing impediments. For example, "The mentor "cleared the path for" her mentee's promotion by advocating for her," versus "The mentor helped her mentee prepare for the interview."