clear them away

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "clear them away" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when instructing someone to remove or eliminate something from a particular area or context. Example: "Please clear them away from the table before we start the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Snow shovels are sometimes employed to clear them away.

The New York Times

You let the market clear them away, and we could all be wiped out with them.

The New York Times

Here are four suggestions to help clear them away: Take your critics seriously – and react.

The Guardian - Opinion

The police managed to clear them away, and Gyalpo was taken to Bellevue, where he was given electrolytes.

The New Yorker

But tonight violent clashes returned to the city's streets as hundreds resisted the authorities' most aggressive attempts yet to clear them away.

Independent

Throughout the grotto's history, crutches and wheelchairs have been left by those who say they have been cured, although caretakers quickly clear them away.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

A policeman aggressively cleared them away, his AK47 hung high around his neck.

The Guardian

He parked his antique tractor and white truck and set up a collection of tables and umbrellas each morning and cleared them away at night.

The New York Times

He sprinkled impressionistic clusters, high and translucent and then lower and more aggressive, cleared them away to ponder a melody, then let a dance-tinged pattern emerge and put it through dizzying chromatic transformations.

The New York Times - Arts

I ought to start clearing them away, but since the book has been translated into Chinese, people keep asking me questions and I found myself having to go back to my sources.

The Guardian - Books

For the most part it appeared to be a loose and casual shoot — the Emmy-nominated NBC sitcom about small-town bureaucrats is done mockumentary-style — with crew simply warning passers-by they might end up on TV rather than clearing them away.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "clear them away", ensure the context makes it clear what "them" refers to. Avoid ambiguity by specifying the objects being removed.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "clear them away" can sound informal in certain contexts. Opt for more formal alternatives like "remove them" or "eliminate them" in academic or business writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clear them away" functions as a phrasal verb, where "clear" is the verb and "away" is the particle. It signifies the action of removing or eliminating objects or obstacles from a particular area or context. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "clear them away" is a grammatically correct and usable phrasal verb that means to remove or eliminate objects. According to Ludwig AI, it's perfectly valid for use in written English. While suitable for general contexts, it may be less appropriate for formal or academic writing where alternatives such as "remove them" or "eliminate them" might be preferred. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media sources, but it is also used in wiki and science contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly indicates what "them" refers to.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take them away

Simple and direct way to ask for something to be removed.

remove them

Focuses on the act of taking something away.

clear them out

Similar meaning, but emphasizes emptying a space.

eliminate them

Emphasizes complete removal or eradication.

get rid of them

Informal way of saying to discard something.

dispose of them

Focuses on the method of discarding something.

sweep them away

Suggests a quick and broad removal, often of debris.

cart them off

Suggests removing something by carrying it.

flush them out

Suggests removing something by washing it away.

extract them

Emphasizes careful and precise removal.

FAQs

What does "clear them away" mean?

The phrase "clear them away" means to remove objects from a space, either literally or figuratively, to make it tidy or free from obstacles.

How can I use "clear them away" in a sentence?

You can use "clear them away" in a sentence like, "Please "remove them" from the table after dinner."

What are some synonyms for "clear them away"?

Some synonyms for "clear them away" include "remove them", "eliminate them", or "take them away", depending on the context.

Is "clear them away" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "clear them away" might be too informal for academic or business writing. Consider using "remove them" or "eliminate them" instead.