clearing the way

USAGE SUMMARY

"clearing the way" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that needs to be done in order to make progress or to make a situation more understandable. Example: "By clearing the way, he was able to make his own path to success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Now listen, said Shanahan clearing the way with small coughs.

The New Yorker

On December 7th the Senate approved Italy's 2011 budget, clearing the way for the three votes.

The Economist

The company has nearly finished a $11.25 million environmental cleanup, clearing the way for construction.

The New York Times

Vincent then resigned, clearing the way for Selig to take over as acting commissioner.

The New Yorker

"I am clearing the way for a this fresh start with my resignation," Winterkorn said.

Independent

Mr. Ergen eventually dropped his bid, clearing the way for Softbank's acquisition.

The New York Times

"His going," the person said, "is another step to clearing the way for Lachlan".

The New York Times

Last year, Univision and Televisa settled a long-running lawsuit, clearing the way for the investment.

The New York Times

Facta was forced to resign, clearing the way for the Fascist ascendancy.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Protesters called for Mubārak to step down immediately, clearing the way for free elections and democracy.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Prominent environmentalists, thrilled, credit Rogers for clearing the way politically; many are his friends.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context to ensure the phrase appropriately conveys the sense of making something easier or possible. If the focus is more on creating an opportunity, "opening doors" might be more suitable.

Common error

Avoid using "clearing the way" when the action only partially prepares for something or when the obstacles removed are insignificant. The phrase implies a substantial contribution to facilitating a future event or action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clearing the way" functions as an idiomatic expression, often acting as a causative agent or enabling condition within a sentence. It signifies actions undertaken to remove impediments, as exemplified by Ludwig's extensive collection of instances.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "clearing the way" is a commonly used and grammatically sound idiomatic expression that signifies the removal of obstacles to facilitate progress or enable future actions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely employed across diverse contexts, particularly in news, encyclopedias, and scientific literature. When writing, ensure the phrase aligns with the context and accurately conveys the creation of conditions for subsequent events. Alternative phrases like "paving the road" or "removing obstacles" can be used for semantic variety. Overall, "clearing the way" is a versatile and effective phrase for describing preparatory steps and actions that make progress possible.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

removing obstacles

Directly addresses the act of eliminating hindrances, which is a core aspect of the original phrase.

clearing hurdles

This emphasizes the act of overcoming challenges.

smoothing the path

This alternative highlights how to make something less difficult.

paving the road

This alternative suggests making progress easier or more accessible, similar to preparing a path for travel.

preparing the ground

Suggests setting the stage or creating the necessary conditions for something to happen.

making it possible

Focuses on enabling a subsequent action or event, rather than removing obstacles.

opening doors

Implies creating opportunities or access, often in a figurative sense.

facilitating progress

Highlights the act of making advancement easier or more likely.

making advancements

It focuses on the act of progressing to a new position or making a new discovery

making headway

This emphasizes the act of making forward movement despite difficulty.

FAQs

What does "clearing the way" mean?

The phrase "clearing the way" means removing obstacles or difficulties to make it easier for something to happen or for someone to progress. It implies creating conditions that allow for a smoother path forward.

How can I use "clearing the way" in a sentence?

You can use "clearing the way" to describe actions that enable future events. For example, "The settlement cleared the way for the new development project to begin".

What are some alternatives to "clearing the way"?

Alternatives to "clearing the way" include "paving the road", "making it possible", or "removing obstacles", depending on the specific context.

Is "clearing the way" formal or informal?

"Clearing the way" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It is frequently used in news articles, academic papers, and everyday conversation.