dispose of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dispose of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to mean getting rid of something or throwing something away. For example: "I need to dispose of these old magazines."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I dispose of it".

The Guardian - Books

"Release" meant dispose of.

The New York Times

Dispose of properly.

WikiHow

Instead, dispose of properly.

WikiHow

Remove and dispose of droppings.

WikiHow

And dispose of this quickly.

WikiHow

Dispose of clothing you hate.

WikiHow

Properly dispose of broken glass.

WikiHow

Dispose of the mole.

WikiHow

Dispose of the contents.

WikiHow

Dispose of the evidence.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing instructions, specify how to "dispose of" something safely and correctly, especially for hazardous materials.

Common error

Don't just say "dispose of properly"; provide specific instructions (e.g., recycle, compost, special waste facility) to ensure responsible disposal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dispose of" functions primarily as a transitive phrasal verb. Ludwig AI shows that it's used to describe the act of getting rid of something, transferring control, or dealing with a situation. For example, "Dispose of the evidence."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

72%

News & Media

5%

Science

23%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dispose of" is a versatile phrasal verb primarily used to instruct or inform about getting rid of something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use across various contexts, particularly in instructional guides and news reports. While slightly more formal than alternatives like "get rid of", "dispose of" is widely understood and appropriate for general use. Remember to provide specific instructions when using this phrase, especially for sensitive materials, and avoid the incorrect form "dispose off". Finally, it is predominantly found in Wiki and news sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

get rid of

Replaces "dispose" with a more common, informal synonym "get".

throw away

Focuses on the action of discarding something, suitable for physical objects.

eliminate

Implies a more thorough removal, often used for problems or obstacles.

discard

A more formal synonym for "throw away", suggesting a conscious decision to get rid of something.

remove

Indicates taking something away, not necessarily implying destruction or waste.

do away with

Suggests ending or abolishing something, often a practice or system.

get shut of

Informal British English, akin to 'get rid of'.

clear out

Implies removing items to tidy or declutter a space.

destroy

Indicates ruining something, breaking it so it cannot be fixed.

handle

Focuses on managing or dealing with something, not necessarily discarding it.

FAQs

How can I use "dispose of" in a sentence?

You can use "dispose of" to describe getting rid of something, such as "Please "dispose of" the trash in the bin".

What is a more formal way to say "dispose of"?

More formal alternatives to "dispose of" include "discard" or "eliminate", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "dispose off" instead of "dispose of"?

No, the correct phrase is "dispose of". "Dispose off" is grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "dispose of" and "get rid of"?

"Dispose of" is slightly more formal than "get rid of", but they are generally interchangeable.