freeing up

USAGE SUMMARY

"freeing up" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to mean that you are releasing someone from an obligation, releasing something from restrictions, or releasing time for something else. For example: The new regulations are freeing up the budget so we can invest in new technology.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Employers are "outsourcing jobs" and "freeing up" the labor force.

The New York Times

They shrink distances and handle countless mundane tasks, freeing up time for more exciting pursuits.

The New York Times

Councils could zone some sites specifically for downsizers, for example, thereby freeing up bigger properties nearby.

The Economist

They have proposed freeing up visas by eliminating some relatives of immigrants from eligibility.

The New York Times

Today, China is freeing up in a hundred ways that don't involve voting.

The New York Times

Certainly, Andy has developed a more dynamic game, freeing up many aspects of play.

Independent

But so far, supporters of freeing up trade say the administration has been slow to move.

The New York Times

Together, these two set about freeing up the more sclerotic bits of the Dutch economy.

The Economist

In the energy sector, freeing up the necessary land to enable greater domestic production".

The New York Times - Magazine

Hughes might use that technology to offer local channels, Mr. Smith said, freeing up satellite capacity.

The New York Times

Louisiana officials credited him with freeing up federal money at critical points.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "freeing up", ensure that the object being freed and the purpose for which it is being freed are clearly specified. For example, instead of just saying "This will free up resources", specify "This will free up financial resources for investment in research and development".

Common error

Avoid using "freeing up" without specifying what is being freed and what it is being freed for. Vague statements like "This will free things up" lack clarity and reduce the impact of your writing. Always provide context.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "freeing up" is that of a phrasal verb, acting as a verb within a sentence to describe the action of making something available or less restricted. Ludwig's examples show it describing the freeing up of resources, time, and space for different purposes. According to Ludwig AI, it can describe someone being released from obligation or restrictions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

35%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "freeing up" is a commonly used phrasal verb that describes the act of making something available or less restricted. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and can be used in various contexts. Ludwig's examples show its relevance in news, science, and business, with use cases ranging from resource allocation to time management. To ensure clear communication, it's best practice to specify what's being freed and its intended use. While alternatives like "releasing" or "making available" exist, "freeing up" often implies a specific purpose for the newly available resource, time, or space.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

releasing

Focuses on the action of letting go or making available something that was previously held or constrained.

making available

Emphasizes the act of providing access or opportunity.

opening up

Suggests creating opportunities or possibilities that were previously closed.

clearing

Implies removing obstacles or obstructions.

liberating

Suggests freeing from constraints or restrictions.

making room for

Specifically refers to creating space for something else.

decongesting

Implies the removal of congestion or blockage.

loosening up

Suggests a relaxation of control or restrictions.

relieving

Focuses on alleviating pressure or burden.

streamlining

Highlights efficiency and the removal of unnecessary steps.

FAQs

How can I use "freeing up" in a sentence?

You can use "freeing up" to describe making something available, like "freeing up time for other activities", or "freeing up resources for new projects".

What's a good alternative to "freeing up"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "freeing up" could include "releasing", "making available", or "opening up".

Is it better to say "freeing up" or "releasing"?

The best choice depends on the nuance you want to convey. "Freeing up" often implies making something available for a specific purpose, while "releasing" is more general and simply means letting something go.

What does "freeing up" mean?

"Freeing up" means to make something available, whether it's time, resources, or space. It suggests that something was previously constrained or occupied, and is now available for other uses.