free up space

USAGE SUMMARY

"free up space" is a valid expression in written English.
You would typically use it when talking about freeing up space in a physical area, or creating more space or time. For example, "We need to free up some space in the closet by getting rid of some of our clothes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

CONS: The garage was removed to free up space for a garden.

The New York Times

I need to free up space on my computer's hard drive.

The New York Times - Tech

Mr. Mascali said it would free up space in the city's shelters for other families.

The New York Times

Remove the built-in shelving units to free up space for a new layout.

The Washington Post

Can I store the photos on an USB external drive to free up space on the laptop?

The New York Times

This will help to free up space in prisons, where four out of ten inmates are awaiting trial.

The Economist

On Saturday, some contaminated water was transferred to a barge to free up space in tanks on land.

The New York Times

Other options include splitting up the library to free up space for renting, or closing it down altogether.

Independent

Packard Children's is currently nearing completion on a major expansion which will subsequently free up space for Nadeau's research.

Stanford University

England replied through Ruaridh McConnochie's try after pressure had helped to free up space on the left.

The Guardian - Sport

The demise of department stores and major chains may also free up space for less corporate operators.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In project management, using "free up space" can refer to reallocating resources or budget to different tasks.

Common error

Avoid using "free up space" too broadly in abstract contexts where more precise language would be better. For example, instead of saying 'This will free up space for innovation', consider 'This will foster innovation' for greater clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "free up space" functions as a phrasal verb, where "free" is the verb and "up" is a particle modifying its meaning. It's typically transitive, requiring an object (space) to complete its meaning. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "free up space" is a versatile and commonly used expression that signifies creating availability, whether physically or digitally. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically sound and appears frequently across various contexts, including news, how-to guides, and academic discussions. While generally neutral in tone, it's important to consider the specific context and audience to ensure the most effective and clear communication. For example, when discussing digital storage, specifying what you're removing to "free up space" is crucial for clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

create room

A more general term for making space, either physically or metaphorically.

make room

Similar to "create room" but with a stronger sense of immediate action.

open up space

Suggests creating space by expanding or unfolding something.

clear space

Focuses on removing obstructions to create space.

liberate space

Emphasizes releasing space that was previously occupied or constrained.

make available

Highlights the action of rendering something accessible for use.

generate space

Implies the active creation of space, often through innovative means.

release capacity

Refers to freeing up space in a system or container, often in a technical context.

unlock potential

Focuses on enabling something to be used fully, implying the creation of space for it.

clear the decks

Idiomatic phrase meaning to remove obstacles and prepare for action.

FAQs

How can I use "free up space" in a sentence?

You can use "free up space" to describe making room, whether physically or digitally. For example, "I need to "free up space" on my phone by deleting old photos" or "Removing this wall will "free up space" in the living room".

What's a more formal way to say "free up space"?

In a formal context, you might use phrases like "create capacity" or "increase availability" instead of "free up space". For example, instead of saying "This upgrade will "free up space", you could say "This upgrade will increase storage capacity".

Which is correct, "free up space" or "free space up"?

"Free up space" is the correct and commonly used phrasing. "Free space up" is not standard English and should be avoided.

What can I say instead of "free up space" when talking about time?

When referring to time, you can use alternatives like "make time", "clear schedule", or "allocate time".