dispensed with

USAGE SUMMARY

"dispensed with" is correct and usable in written English.
It means to do without something or to avoid something that is usually required. For example, "The ceremony was dispensed with since it was not necessary."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Democracy was dispensed with.

The Economist

Twitter has dispensed with that.

The New York Times

Most will be dispensed with.

The New York Times

We dispensed with his stage fright first.

The New York Times - Arts

They dispensed with my services," he added.

The Guardian

Many have dispensed with reserve requirements altogether.

The Economist

It all but dispensed with public consultation.

The Economist

American aid could be dispensed with.

The New York Times

You dispensed with my vote.

The Guardian

Trump dispensed with standards altogether.

The Guardian - Opinion

She dispensed with her publicist before lunch.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "dispensed with", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being removed or avoided. For example, "They dispensed with the formalities" is more precise than "They dispensed with it."

Common error

Avoid using "dispensed with" in very informal contexts where simpler alternatives like "skipped" or "got rid of" might be more appropriate. The phrase carries a degree of formality that may seem out of place in casual conversation.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "dispensed with" functions as a transitive verb phrase indicating the action of doing away with something, removing it, or no longer requiring it. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dispensed with" is a versatile phrasal verb used to express the act of removing or doing without something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage, particularly in news and media contexts. While appropriate for neutral and somewhat formal settings, simpler alternatives may be preferable in casual conversation. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity regarding what is being eliminated to maintain precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

eliminated

Implies a formal and complete removal of something.

did away with

Suggests the abolishment of a rule, custom, or system.

abolished

Specifically refers to formally putting an end to something like a law or practice.

got rid of

Indicates a more informal way to say something was eliminated.

did without

Highlights the ability to manage in the absence of something.

removed

A general term for taking something away.

forwent

Suggests voluntarily abstaining from something.

waived

Means to refrain from applying or enforcing a rule or right.

bypassed

Indicates avoiding something, often to achieve an objective more quickly.

skipped

Implies omitting something, often intentionally.

FAQs

How can I use "dispensed with" in a sentence?

You can use "dispensed with" to indicate that something is no longer needed or has been avoided. For example, "The committee dispensed with the preliminary reports to save time."

What's a more informal way to say "dispensed with"?

If you're looking for a less formal alternative, consider using phrases like "got rid of" or "skipped" depending on the context.

Is "dispensed with" the same as "distributed with"?

No, "dispensed with" means to eliminate or do without something, while "distributed with" means to give something out to multiple people. They have opposite meanings.

Which is correct, "dispensed with" or "dispensed of"?

"Dispensed with" is the correct form. "Dispensed of" is not a standard or grammatically accepted phrase.