cleared of debris

USAGE SUMMARY

"cleared of debris" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is usually used to describe a place that has been made clean or tidy, usually after some kind of debris or litter has been removed. For example, you could say, "After the storm, the street was cleared of debris."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

Not just cleared of debris — no.

The New Yorker

The center of the refugee camp has been cleared of debris.

The New York Times

The transept, which will be restored, must be cleared of debris.

The New York Times

We passed the village of Abou Goulem, the road scorched and blackened but cleared of debris.

The New Yorker

Roughly two miles of tunnels have been discovered, cleared of debris, and opened to viewing.

The New Yorker

(15) 1 LIBERTY PLAZA / BROOKS BROTHERS This 54-story building lost 650 windows and had to be cleared of debris.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

In New Hampshire, a man died after being sucked into a culvert he was trying to clear of debris.

The New York Times

In Bridgewater, N.H., a man died after being sucked into a narrow culvert that he was trying to clear of debris.

The New York Times

Lysate cleared of cellular debris was incubated with antibody-conjugated beads for immunoprecipitation.

Nature

The crude lysates were cleared of insoluble debris by centrifugation at 12,000 g.

Autophagy

Lysates were cleared of tissue debris by centrifugation at 15000  g for 20 min at 4 °C.

Biochemical Journal

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing disaster recovery efforts, use "cleared of debris" to convey progress and restoration of accessibility or usability of an area.

Common error

Avoid using "cleared of debris" when the area has only been partially cleaned or if the primary issue is not debris. Overstating the cleanliness can mislead readers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cleared of debris" primarily functions as a descriptive phrase, indicating that a location or object has undergone a process to remove scattered waste or unwanted material. As Ludwig AI states, it describes a place that has been made clean or tidy.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

42%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cleared of debris" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe the removal of waste material from a location or object. According to Ludwig AI, it's generally used to describe a place that has been cleaned or tidied. Its usage spans across various contexts, including news reports, scientific studies, and formal communications, as confirmed by the Ludwig examples. Key related phrases include "free from rubble" and "cleaned up". When using the phrase, ensure that the area has been significantly cleaned to avoid misleading your audience. Therefore, it’s a valuable descriptive term for conveying restoration and accessibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cleared of detritus

Detritus refers to waste or debris, so this implies a very thorough, often scientific, clearing.

free from rubble

This alternative focuses specifically on the removal of rubble, which is a type of debris.

cleaned up

This is a more general term indicating tidiness, encompassing more than just debris removal.

rid of waste

This suggests the elimination of unwanted materials, broader than just "debris".

purged of litter

"Purged" implies a thorough removal, while "litter" specifies a particular kind of debris.

cleared of obstructions

This focuses on removing obstacles, broader than debris, but similar in effect.

freed from obstructions

This emphasizes the removal of anything blocking passage or view, which debris could cause.

made tidy

This is a general phrase indicating a state of order and cleanliness.

exonerated from waste material

Implies a formal cleansing process that can be also an official declaration.

cleansed from wreckage

Refers specifically to the aftermath of destruction, implying a more intense cleaning process.

FAQs

How can I use "cleared of debris" in a sentence?

You can use "cleared of debris" to describe a location that has had its waste material removed. For instance, "The road was "cleared of debris" after the storm."

What is a good alternative to "cleared of debris"?

Depending on the context, you might use alternatives like "free from rubble", "cleaned up", or "rid of waste".

Is it better to say "cleared of debris" or "cleaned of debris"?

"Cleared of debris" specifically implies the removal of scattered waste material, while "cleaned of debris" is less common and might sound slightly awkward. "Cleared" emphasizes the act of removal to make something usable again.

What does it mean when an area is described as "cleared of debris" after a disaster?

It typically means that the major pathways and critical areas have been made accessible again by removing obstructions and waste material, facilitating rescue and recovery efforts.