empty the trash

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "empty the trash" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the action of removing unwanted files or items from a digital or physical trash bin. Example: "After organizing my desktop, I decided to empty the trash to free up some space."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

To fully remove the trashed photos, you have to actually empty the trash in the app – similar to emptying the trash on a Mac or PC.

TechCrunch

Empty the trash by clicking finder and emptying trash.

WikiHow

Someone has taken the time to empty the trash on top.

University of California, Berkeley

On the gnomic Near the Memorials, "a black man in overalls arrives to empty the trash".

The Guardian - Music

The housekeeping staff make up the beds, empty the trash, dust, and vacuum the apartments on a daily basis.

Stanford University

But if you've got a meeting and the office stinks, the C.E.O.'s going to empty the trash.

The New Yorker

The most common reason users go over quota are failure to empty the Trash on their desktop, and Firefox/Chrome browser cache filling up.

Harvard University

So when it's time for my son to empty the trash (one of his chores), we pretend he's feeding the troll that lives outside in the garbage can.

University of California, Berkeley

"We noticed that the janitor coming in to empty the trash had just been sitting there staring at the game for a long time," Carmack told Time magazine.

The New Yorker

The New Yorker, April 6, 1940 P. 13 A big D. S. N. Y. collection truck stopped at a corner of First Avenue to empty the trash cans.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Try just deleting the files the usual way (and empty the trash/recycle bin).

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "empty the trash" in a digital context, ensure it's clear whether you're referring to a recycle bin, a specific folder, or a cloud storage trash. Specify if needed to avoid confusion.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by specifying what kind of "trash" you're referring to. For example, say "empty the email trash folder" or "empty the kitchen trash can" instead of just "empty the trash."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "empty the trash" functions as a directive or an instruction. It tells someone to perform the action of emptying a receptacle used for unwanted items. This directive can apply to both physical (e.g., a wastebasket) and digital contexts (e.g., a computer's recycle bin), as supported by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Wiki

35%

Academia

27%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "empty the trash" is a common and grammatically correct directive, used to instruct or remind someone to dispose of waste, whether physical or digital. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is broadly applicable and neutral in tone. Its frequency is very common, mainly appearing in news, wiki and academic contexts, but also appearing in more contexts according to the variety of examples analyzed. For clarity, it's often beneficial to specify the type of "trash" being referred to (e.g., "empty the recycle bin"). Related phrases include "clear the trash" and "discard the trash", offering slight variations in meaning. Overall, understanding the context is key to effective usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clear the trash

Uses "clear" instead of "empty", implying a removal of contents.

delete the trash contents

More explicit about removing the contents of the trash.

remove items from the trash

Focuses on the action of removing specific items.

clean out the trash

Implies a more thorough cleaning process.

discard the trash

Highlights the act of getting rid of the trash.

eliminate the trash

Suggests a complete removal or eradication.

purge the trash

Implies a more forceful or complete removal.

erase the trash

Used more in the context of digital data.

wipe the trash

Similar to erase, often used in data security.

get rid of the trash

More informal way of saying remove the trash.

FAQs

How do I use "empty the trash" in a sentence?

You can use "empty the trash" in sentences like: "It's my chore to "empty the trash" every evening" or "Remember to "empty the trash" on your computer regularly to free up space".

What can I say instead of "empty the trash"?

Alternatives include "clear the trash", "remove items from the trash", or "discard the trash", depending on the context.

What's the difference between "empty the trash" and "delete the files"?

"Delete the files" refers to the initial action of sending files to the trash or recycle bin. "Empty the trash" /s/empty+the+trash is the subsequent action of permanently removing those files from the system. So deleting is a first step that can be reverted until you "empty the trash", and that deletion is final.

Which is correct, "empty the trash" or "empty trash"?

"Empty the trash" is generally more correct and natural. "Empty trash" might be acceptable in very informal contexts, but ""empty the trash"" is the standard and recommended phrasing.