clearing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "clearing" is correct and usable in written English, depending on the context.
It can be used in various contexts, such as discussing the act of removing obstacles or making something clear. Example: "The team is focused on clearing the backlog of tasks before the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She had remained sprightly throughout, recalling how they "scampered down over the stones after the manner of the goats... clearing the ground at a famous speed" to get down the valley.

The Guardian - Travel

My husband came home and I explained that he couldn't switch the TV on, so he ended up going into the garden to do a bit of clearing up.

The Guardian

And that's not all: although fossil fuel combustion is the main source of CO2, we also release the same gas by clearing forests and producing cement.

The Guardian

McConnell and his allies then set their sights on a two-month Patriot Act extension that would buy further time to negotiate while clearing the sunset deadline for Section 215, the piece of the law that enables the NSA to sweep millions of Americans' phone records without a warrant.

The Guardian

The protesters at "Safe Park" must remove their wooden sleeping pods after a federal judge told city attorneys that an injunction he issued previously did not prohibit them from clearing out the pods.

The Guardian

So the striker Joey Barton was converted into a sweeper after assaulting a team mate at training and spotted clearing rubbish at the Newcastle Falcons ground.

The Guardian - Opinion

With a second season long confirmed, there's a sense that the nominally gritty Gotham is clearing out some of its cartoonish gangsters to make more room for cartoonish supervillains, even if it still can't quite figure out what to do with young Bruce Wayne.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

We're fixing our billing issues and clearing even more of the backlog of late bills.

The Guardian - Business

The loss of traditional grazing in many areas has seen these flowers shaded out by scrub – clearing this, and controlling bracken growth, is required for both the violets and the butterfly.

The Guardian

Politically, a Tobin tax has become more attractive as governments have woken up to public anger at the banks deemed responsible for the crisis, and to the budgetary cost of clearing up the mess.

The Guardian - Business

The analysis assumed a buy-to-let investor would use rental income to pay off their mortgage, clearing it after 13 years and banking it in the final five.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "clearing" in the context of data or information, ensure it's followed by a clear explanation of what data is being cleared and why.

Common error

Avoid using "clearing" without specifying what is being cleared. For example, instead of saying "The project is clearing", specify what aspect is being resolved, such as "The project is clearing its final hurdles".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "clearing" varies depending on context. It can function as a verb (present participle of 'clear') or a noun, denoting the action of making something clear or an open space. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its versatility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "clearing" is a versatile word frequently used across various contexts. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct. It can function as a verb or a noun, signifying actions such as removing obstacles, clarifying issues, or cleaning up spaces. According to the frequency analysis by Ludwig, it's most commonly found in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science. To enhance clarity, it's best to specify what's being "cleared" to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives include "removing", "eliminating", and "clarifying", depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

removing

Focuses on the act of taking something away, similar to "clearing" but more general.

freeing up

Highlights the act of making something available or less encumbered, much like "clearing" a path.

eliminating

Implies a complete removal, often of something undesirable, like "clearing" a problem.

clarifying

Emphasizes making something understandable, akin to "clearing" confusion.

exonerating

Emphasizes proving someone innocent, similar to "clearing" their name.

resolving

Suggests solving a problem or dispute, similar to "clearing" a misunderstanding.

sorting out

Suggests organizing or resolving issues, akin to "clearing" a mess.

emptying

Focuses on making something devoid of contents, comparable to "clearing" a space.

authorizing

Similar to sanctioning, it means to give official permission, like "clearing" a project.

sanctioning

Implies giving authorization or approval, as in "clearing" a proposal.

FAQs

How can I use "clearing" in a sentence?

"Clearing" can be used in various contexts. For example: "The team is focused on clearing the backlog", "The weather is clearing up", or "The authorities are clearing the road".

What can I say instead of "clearing"?

You can use alternatives like "removing", "eliminating", or "clarifying" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "clearing up" instead of "clearing"?

Yes, "clearing up" is a common phrasal verb that often means to tidy or resolve something. It's often interchangeable with "clearing" but adds a sense of completion or finality. For example: "We need to start "clearing up" this mess".

What's the difference between "clearing" and "cleaning"?

"Clearing" typically refers to removing obstacles, clarifying information, or making space available, while "cleaning" refers to removing dirt or impurities. While there might be overlap, they generally address different types of removal.