delete out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "delete out" is not standard in written English and is generally considered incorrect.
It is often used informally to mean removing something, but the word "out" is unnecessary and redundant. Example: "Please delete the unnecessary files from the system."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

I cannot predict whether I would treat that other digital me as a son I wanted to see prosper after I was gone, or as a competitor for my life's experiences and values I might conveniently find a way to delete out of jealousy or spite.

TechCrunch

My assumption is that when we delete out the chaff (spam), some of the wheat (letters from readers) goes with it.

Los Angeles Times

His first album since 2002, Scene Delete (out April 1 on CD and 3xLP), flexes Coe's affinity for minimal compositions, and sees him collaborating with Radiohead member Nigel Godrich's band, Ultraísta, British artist John Graham, as well as ThermalBear, on a variety of tracks built more for your headphones than the peaking dancefloor.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

And Spain's privacy regulator has ordered Google (which is contesting) to delete out-of-date and inaccurate information.

The Guardian - Opinion

University IT administrators will periodically purge from the wallet and from Kerberos all host-based keytabs for systems no longer registered in NetDB, so using a host-based keytab on a system other than the one for which it was issued risks having it deleted out from under your service.

Stanford University

And Mr. Gilbert includes the third fateful hammer blow in the finale, which Mahler is said to have deleted, out of superstition regarding his own fate.

The New York Times - Arts

And you couldn't control-alt-delete out of it.

Forbes

When there is a new-coming data point, the oldest data point of X is deleted out of the array, and then the new data point is inserted into the array.

Vietnam Journal of Computer Science

"In the face of overwhelming odds," Watney says to himself early in the film, "I have only one option: I am going to have to science the (expletive deleted) out of this". The odds against us today aren't that extreme, but they're challenging enough.

HuffPost

After that, all these high-copy repeats were deleted out of the sequences.

BMC Genomics

"Just letting you know@PacSmoove @pookeo9 that using 'your gay' as a way to put someone down ain't ok! #notcool delete that out ur vocab," Bryant wrote.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the word "delete" on its own, as it already implies the removal of something. For example, instead of saying "delete out the file", say "delete the file".

Common error

Avoid using "out" after "delete" as it creates redundancy. "Delete" already means to remove something, so adding "out" is unnecessary and grammatically awkward.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "delete out" functions as a verb phrase aimed at expressing the action of removing or eliminating something. However, Ludwig AI notes its redundancy, as "delete" inherently implies removal. While sometimes used colloquially, it lacks grammatical precision.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "delete out" appears in various contexts, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect due to its redundancy. Ludwig AI highlights that "delete" already implies the action of removing something. Therefore, it's best to use "delete" on its own or opt for synonyms like "remove", "erase", or "eliminate" for clearer and more precise communication. Its usage leans towards informal contexts, and authoritative sources generally avoid this construction. Sticking to just "delete" ensures grammatical correctness and avoids potential confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remove

A direct synonym for deleting, suitable for most contexts.

erase

Similar to remove, often used in the context of digital data.

eliminate

Implies a complete removal, often used in more formal contexts.

discard

Suggests getting rid of something that is no longer useful or wanted.

omit

To leave out or exclude something, often intentionally.

take out

A more colloquial way to say remove, but can be ambiguous.

expunge

A more formal term for erasing or obliterating something, often used in legal contexts.

cut out

Suggests removing a part of something, often by physically cutting.

rub out

Suggests erasing something, often with a rubber or eraser.

blue-pencil

To edit or censor by deleting objectionable material.

FAQs

Is "delete out" grammatically correct?

No, the phrase "delete out" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. The word "delete" already implies removal, making the addition of "out" redundant. It's better to simply use "delete".

What can I say instead of "delete out"?

You can use alternatives like "remove", "erase", or "eliminate" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "delete" and "delete out"?

While "delete out" is sometimes used informally, it's grammatically redundant. "Delete" on its own is sufficient and clearer. There is no practical difference, but using just "delete" is preferable for formal writing.

How to use "remove" in a sentence instead of "delete out"?

Instead of "delete out the file", you can say "remove the file". The word "remove" is a direct and grammatically correct substitute for "delete".