delete where appropriate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "delete where appropriate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when some information in a document or other written piece needs to be removed, with the understanding that it is to be done at the reader's own discretion. For example, "Please review the attached document and delete where appropriate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

This can be anything, from telling them they look "wonderful!" with their manky food-flecked beards/Village People-style moustaches they grew for Movember/haircuts so awful they verge on the inhumane (delete where appropriate), to over-styling grown men so that they look not only tragic, but also bizarrely sexless (see: what Liz did to Shane).

The Guardian - Opinion

'Would you like to inter view the Minister of Tourism for Timbuktu/somewhere small in the Caribbean/Middle East/some European country?' (delete where appropriate).

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Try to approach with a view to fixing before deleting, where appropriate.

WikiHow

We thank the editor and reviewers' for this comment and we have now toned down such statements or deleted them altogether where appropriate as this is not central to our work described here.

eLife

Cancel off where appropriate.

WikiHow

Please take independent legal advice where appropriate.

The Guardian

Figures rounded off where appropriate.

Forbes

Figures were rounded off where appropriate.

Forbes

Recommendations are provided where appropriate.

International Journal of Pressure Vessels and Piping

Variables were dichotomized where appropriate.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

Similarly, the media panel displays videos and images where appropriate.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "delete where appropriate", ensure the criteria for appropriateness are clear to the intended audience to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "delete where appropriate" excessively in a single document; it can make instructions seem vague and less actionable. Prefer more specific guidelines whenever possible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "delete where appropriate" serves as an instructional adverbial phrase, guiding the reader to selectively remove content based on their judgment of suitability. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a valid and usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

30%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "delete where appropriate" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed adverbial phrase used to instruct readers to selectively remove content based on their judgment. As Ludwig AI points out, it is generally well-regarded and usable in different contexts. Although it works well in various fields, being more specific by using phrases like "omit as necessary" or "exclude where relevant" may improve clarity and precision, especially in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

omit as necessary

This alternative emphasizes the act of omitting based on necessity rather than general appropriateness.

remove if suitable

This phrase focuses on suitability as the criterion for removal, offering a slightly different nuance.

exclude where relevant

This option highlights relevance as the determining factor for exclusion.

erase when applicable

This alternative stresses applicability as the condition for erasing content.

cancel if needed

This version uses "cancel" implying a slightly different action than deletion and emphasizes the necessity for the action.

redact when required

This alternative uses "redact", suggesting a more formal and careful removal of information, especially in sensitive documents.

eliminate where fitting

This phrase focuses on the fitness or suitability of eliminating certain parts.

adjust accordingly

This option is a more general instruction to adjust content in a way that may involve deletion.

modify as appropriate

This alternative broadens the scope to modification, which includes deletion but also other changes.

use discretion in removing

This phrase explicitly emphasizes the use of one's judgment when deleting.

FAQs

How can I use "delete where appropriate" in a sentence?

You can use "delete where appropriate" to indicate that certain parts of a document or text should be removed at the reader's discretion. For example, "Review the draft and "delete where appropriate"".

What's a more specific alternative to "delete where appropriate"?

Alternatives like "omit as necessary", "remove if suitable", or "exclude where relevant" can provide more precise guidance depending on the context.

Is "delete where appropriate" suitable for formal writing?

While "delete where appropriate" is acceptable, more formal contexts might benefit from clearer, more specific instructions to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "redact when required" in sensitive documents.

What does "where appropriate" actually mean?

"Where appropriate" means that the action (in this case, deletion) should only be performed in situations where it is suitable or necessary based on the specific context and the user's judgment.