do not dispose of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "do not dispose of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to warn someone not to throw something away. For example: "Do not dispose of any leftover paint; it can be used for touch-ups."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

Do not dispose of the battery.

The New York Times - Tech

These conclusions, however, do not dispose of this entire case.

Harvard University

If you do decorate, do not dispose of your decorations.

The New York Times

3.These conclusions, however, do not dispose of the entire case.

Harvard University

Drug manufacturers also often do not dispose of their industrial waste appropriately.

The Guardian

Air-purifying systems equipped with a HEPA filter trap particles; they do not dispose of them.

Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

Don't dispose of the husk and silk in a garbage disposal, since they're too fibrous.

WikiHow

Don't dispose of litter in the sea (or anywhere else other than a bin).

The Guardian

When asked why he had so many weapons in his stronghold, he said: "You don't dispose of arms in the street.

The New York Times

"But I've seen backpackers who don't dispose of their waste properly and I've seen four-wheelers who do.

The New York Times

Other targets include the cringeworthy joviality of Good Luck In Your New Job cards, and creepy dating manuals ("used-up women are like nuclear waste - if you don't dispose of them in the right way, they can destroy you").

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When providing instructions, use "do not dispose of" followed by a clear explanation of why the item should be kept or how it should be handled instead. This provides context and encourages compliance.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "do not dispose of" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "don't throw away" or "don't get rid of" in everyday contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "do not dispose of" functions primarily as a directive, specifically a negative imperative. It's used to instruct or advise against discarding or eliminating something. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Wiki

32%

News & Media

23%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

13%

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "do not dispose of" is a grammatically sound and frequently used negative imperative that advises against discarding something. It’s best suited for instructional or formal contexts where clarity is essential. While versatile, it may sound overly formal in casual conversations, where alternatives like "don't throw away" are preferable. Ludwig AI validates that the phrase is correct and appropriate for English writing. When writing, be direct and explain the reason for not disposing of the item to ensure understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

do not discard

Replaces "dispose of" with "discard", a slightly more general term for getting rid of something.

do not throw away

Uses the more informal "throw away" instead of "dispose of", making it suitable for casual contexts.

do not get rid of

A more conversational alternative to "dispose of", suitable for everyday language.

do not eliminate

Emphasizes the act of completely removing or getting rid of something, often used in more formal or technical contexts.

do not eliminate from

Similar to do not eliminate but makes explicit the location or domain where something should not be eliminated from.

do not eradicate

Suggests a complete and thorough removal, often used in situations where something is undesirable or harmful.

do not jettison

Implies discarding something important or vital, often used in technical or emergency contexts.

do not scrap

Suggests avoiding the abandonment of something that might still have some value, used in engineering or manufacturing contexts.

retain

This is the opposite side of the phrase. Implying that the user should maintain or keep the desired thing.

keep

Like retain, it emphasizes the action of holding on to something rather than discarding it.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "do not dispose of" for a more casual tone?

In informal settings, you can use phrases like "don't throw away", "don't get rid of", or simply "keep it". These alternatives are more conversational and less formal than "do not dispose of".

Is it ever correct to say "do not discard of" instead of "do not dispose of"?

While "discard" and "dispose" are similar, the correct phrasing is "do not discard". The phrase "do not discard of" is grammatically incorrect. Consider instead "do not discard".

What's the difference between "do not dispose of" and "do not eliminate"?

"Do not dispose of" generally means not to throw something away. "Do not eliminate" implies not removing or eradicating something completely. The choice depends on the specific context and the intended meaning.

When should I use "do not dispose of" versus other similar phrases?

Use "do not dispose of" in situations where you need to give a clear and somewhat formal instruction not to throw something away. For more casual situations, consider alternatives like "don't throw away" or "don't get rid of".