delete as applicable

USAGE SUMMARY

"delete as applicable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when providing instructions or giving advice that contain optional elements. For example: When setting up your Wi-Fi connection, delete as applicable: • Network Name • Security Key • WPA2 Key • Password • SSID.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

This-and-that repertoire is gorgeous/moving/life-changing (delete as applicable).

The Guardian - Music

Overcome by love/goodwill/hunger for publicity (delete as applicable) he bought her the £110,000 Modena filled with roses.

The Guardian

I've been queasily dragging a net through the internet to find some of the most impressive/revolting/bizarre (delete as applicable) competitive eating efforts for your distraction.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It's an essential part of the examination of the central figure, Bobby Sands, as a fully realised character and not just terrorist/hunger-striking martyr (delete as applicable).

The Guardian - Film

★ CAPRICORN 22 Dec-19 Jan Saturn, Capricorn's ruler, represents the ability to survive and prosper regardless of circumstance, through stoicism or ruthlessness (delete as applicable).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Perhaps the funniest/most offensive (delete as applicable) shop is Lee Green's Shoot the Aged, "a non-charitable profit making organisation using non-voluntary staff".

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

"Delete as appropriate.

The Guardian - Sport

Aww/eww – delete as necessary.

The Guardian

"First do no harm" is as applicable to legislators as it is to physicians.

The New York Times

"It's a shame that I have taken the chance on a bigger venue," he writes, "in the year when the Olympics/the recession/the dissatisfaction with high prices of everything in Edinburgh (delete or add as applicable – there's no definitive answer) has sucked out all the punters as if someone opened the door on a spacecraft".

The Guardian

Pickens' tweet was swiftly deleted and his account appears to have been deleted as well.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "delete as applicable" in forms, templates, or instructions where options are provided and not all may be relevant.

Common error

Avoid overuse of "delete as applicable" in informal writing; simpler phrasing may be more appropriate. Consider alternatives like "delete if necessary" or "remove as appropriate" for better flow.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "delete as applicable" functions as an instruction, typically found in forms or documents, indicating which options or parts should be removed if they do not apply. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

24%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Science

9%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "delete as applicable" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase for instructions. It appears most frequently in news, wiki, and academic contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its usage and provides examples across various domains. While correct, overusing this phrase may sound too formal in some situations. Consider more concise options like "delete if necessary" or "remove as appropriate" for better flow. Its purpose is to instruct users to customize documents to their needs, and it maintains a neutral to formal register, suitable for professional settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

delete if necessary

Replaces 'applicable' with 'necessary', focusing on the need for deletion based on the situation.

remove as appropriate

Substitutes 'delete' with 'remove' and 'applicable' with 'appropriate', offering a slightly more formal tone.

omit where relevant

Uses 'omit' instead of 'delete' and 'relevant' instead of 'applicable', shifting the focus to relevance as the condition for removal.

strike out if irrelevant

Replaces 'delete' with 'strike out' and 'applicable' with 'irrelevant', suitable for contexts involving physical documents.

cancel as required

Uses 'cancel' instead of 'delete' and 'required' instead of 'applicable', emphasizing the necessity of cancellation.

erase when not needed

Substitutes 'delete' with 'erase' and focuses on the lack of need as the condition for removal.

discard where unsuitable

Replaces 'delete' with 'discard' and 'applicable' with 'unsuitable', suggesting rejection based on unsuitability.

eliminate as fitting

Uses 'eliminate' instead of 'delete' and 'fitting' instead of 'applicable', implying a choice based on suitability.

exclude if inappropriate

Substitutes 'delete' with 'exclude' and 'applicable' with 'inappropriate', suggesting a deliberate exclusion based on inappropriateness.

selectively delete

Focuses on the selective nature of the deletion, emphasizing the act of choosing what to delete.

FAQs

How can I use "delete as applicable" in a sentence?

You can use "delete as applicable" in instructions or forms, such as: "Select your preferred contact method and "delete as applicable": phone/email/mail."

What does "delete as applicable" mean?

"Delete as applicable" means to remove the option or text that is not relevant or suitable in a given context. It's commonly used to provide choices where only some apply.

Is there a more concise alternative to "delete as applicable"?

Yes, you could use phrases like "delete if necessary" or "remove as appropriate", depending on the specific context.

In what contexts is "delete as applicable" commonly used?

"Delete as applicable" is commonly used in formal documents, forms, and instructions where the user needs to select the relevant options and remove the irrelevant ones. It is frequently used in legal, academic, and business settings.