dispense of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dispense of" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct expression is "dispense with," which means to do away with or to not require something. Example: "We can dispense with the formalities and get straight to the point."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

He is expected to easily dispense of his opponent, O'Neil Bell of Jamaica.

Forbes

But you don't have to be a diehard fan to see the worth in Codex, a beautiful melody brought into focus by the band's decision to dispense of the usual trimmings in favour of piano and ghostlike effects.

The Guardian - Music

He accepts there are "legitimate risks that we should be thinking about now", but is adamant these are not the dystopian scenarios of science fiction in which super-smart machines ruthlessly dispense of their human creators.

The Guardian - Tech

Dispense of regression analysis were mathematically modeled the metamorphism of mechanical properties with process parameters.

Materials Today: Proceedings

This design is more feasible for existing machines due to its coaxial arrangement of the components and dispense of symmetric requirement of two doglegs compared to two-dogleg type one.

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment

England coach Andy Flower and captain Alastair Cook have consistently backed the use of technology in the decision review system (DRS) and expressed a desire to improve it, rather than dispense of any of its components.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Those practices involve the manufacture and dispensing of unapproved drugs and can put patents at risk.

The New York Times

Computers control heating and ventilating systems and the dispensing of feed and water.

The Guardian

His wife, Pat, dispensed of the matter by toasting a memorable golfing experience.

The New York Times

The dispensing of Simon is perhaps a metaphor for the changing culture at the Mariners.

The Guardian - Sport

We watched the daily dispensing of the heavy white cylinders which contain this food.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "dispense with" instead of "dispense of" to convey the intended meaning of doing without or eliminating something.

Common error

Avoid using "dispense of", as it's grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is "dispense with". For example, say "We can dispense with the formalities" instead of "We can dispense of the formalities."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dispense of" is grammatically incorrect and does not function properly in standard English. The correct form is "dispense with". As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase should be avoided.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "dispense of" appears with some frequency, it is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is "dispense with", which means to do without or eliminate something. As Ludwig AI confirms, "dispense of" should be avoided in both formal and informal writing. Alternatives such as "do without", "eliminate", or "get rid of" are more appropriate. Pay close attention to using the correct preposition to ensure clarity and grammatical accuracy in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

do without

Implies managing or functioning adequately without something, similar to eliminating its need.

eliminate the need for

Focuses on removing the requirement for something, emphasizing efficiency.

get rid of

Suggests discarding or removing something unwanted, often with a sense of relief.

dispose of

Implies throwing away or dealing with something no longer needed, emphasizing finality.

remove

Highlights the act of taking something away, with a more neutral connotation.

abolish

Suggests formally putting an end to a system, practice, or institution, highlighting authority.

waive

Means to voluntarily refrain from enforcing a right or claim, highlighting intentionality.

relinquish

Implies giving up something voluntarily, often with a sense of loss or regret.

omit

Focuses on intentionally leaving something out, emphasizing selection and exclusion.

set aside

Suggests reserving something for a specific purpose or time, or disregarding it entirely.

FAQs

What does "dispense with" mean?

"Dispense with" means to do without something, to get rid of it, or to not use it because it's not necessary. For example, "We can "dispense with" the formalities and get straight to the point."

Is it correct to say "dispense of"?

No, it is not correct. The correct phrase is ""dispense with"". "Dispense of" is a common error.

What are some alternatives to "dispense with"?

Alternatives include "do without", "eliminate", or "get rid of", depending on the specific context.

How can I remember to use "dispense with" correctly?

Think of "dispense with" as meaning to 'do away with' something. This can help you remember that the correct preposition is "with", not "of".