frees things up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "frees things up" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of making something more available or accessible, often in a context of reducing constraints or limitations. Example: "By reorganizing the schedule, we can free things up for more collaborative meetings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Even a very quick scene with Jane Fonda losing her temper on a plane frees things up a bit: but mostly we are drifting around the handsome facilities and grounds of this sumptuous but weirdly soulless open prison with its massages and its heated pools.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

In the journals, Spetses does free things up.

The Guardian - Books

Instead of closing things down, this proximity to other kinds of art in the downtown scene allowed her to free things up.

The Guardian - Arts

Obama said that if Cubans wanted to improve their standing in the global economy their government needed to free things up.

The New Yorker

But the bombings are hardly likely to make Mr Mubarak free things up faster.Though his government at first suggested that the attacks might have been orchestrated from abroad, suspicion soon turned to a network among the bedouin of northern Sinai.

The Economist

Unless the Fed reverses much of what it has done since 2008, particularly its edicts forcing big banks to hold more capital, there is only so much that the Trump Administration can do to free things up.

The New Yorker

When it comes to finding additional content, the screen hasn't really freed things up all that much.

TechCrunch

The entrance doors will be widening up as well, from 50- to 58-inches, which should free things up a bit as everyone attempts to rush on and off all at once during rush hour.

TechCrunch

"But there is a clear risk in there if fees get to a level that's unmanageable, if you free things up entirely - and universities may well want to charge fees a lot higher than £9,000 - then you can run into problems".

BBC

Attach a sensor to every bus, every car, every truck and train and bike and parking space in the city, and you can see where traffic is clogged, where it is running easily and where you should put new routes to free things up.

Huffington Post

He also felt free to make things up, so a few characters — like an old flame of the first lady, Pat Nixon — are clearly inventions.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "frees things up" when you want to emphasize that something is made more available or less restricted, often leading to increased efficiency or new possibilities. For example, "Automation frees things up for employees to focus on more creative tasks."

Common error

While generally acceptable, avoid overusing "frees things up" in highly formal writing. More precise or sophisticated vocabulary may be more appropriate in academic or professional settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "frees things up" functions as a verb phrase indicating that something is being made more available or less restricted. It highlights the act of liberating resources, time, or opportunities, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "frees things up" is a commonly used and generally acceptable expression that indicates a reduction in constraints, leading to increased efficiency or opportunity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely found in news and media contexts. While appropriate for most general writing, consider more formal alternatives in academic or highly professional settings. By using related phrases like "clears the way" or "streamlines the process", you can refine your expression to fit the specific nuance you wish to convey. Overall, "frees things up" is a valuable addition to your vocabulary for describing improvements in availability or efficiency.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clears the way

Focuses on removing obstacles.

makes room

Highlights creating physical or metaphorical space.

eases the burden

Emphasizes reducing difficulty or strain.

streamlines the process

Focuses on improving efficiency and flow.

opens opportunities

Highlights creating new possibilities.

relieves the pressure

Focuses on alleviating stress or tension.

simplifies matters

Emphasizes making something less complex.

makes available

Highlights making something accessible or obtainable.

unlocks potential

Focuses on releasing hidden capabilities.

facilitates progress

Emphasizes assisting or promoting advancement.

FAQs

How can I use "frees things up" in a sentence?

You can use "frees things up" to indicate that something makes time, resources, or opportunities more available. For example, "Delegating tasks "frees things up" for the manager to focus on strategic planning".

What are some alternatives to "frees things up"?

Alternatives include "clears the way", "makes room", or "streamlines the process", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "frees things up" formal or informal?

"Frees things up" is generally considered neutral to slightly informal. While acceptable in many contexts, more formal options might be preferable in academic or highly professional writing.

What does "frees things up" imply?

The phrase "frees things up" implies a reduction in constraints or limitations, allowing for greater flexibility, efficiency, or opportunity in a given situation. It suggests that something has been simplified or streamlined.