frees up

USAGE SUMMARY

"frees up" is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
It's a phrasal verb that means to make available, often for a specific purpose. For example, "My boss freed up some extra funds for our project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

This frees up the download for the next person.

TechCrunch

"Somehow that master plan frees up energy".

The New York Times - Arts

"That frees up a lot.

The New York Times

It frees up writers from their publishers.

The New York Times

It frees up our capacity to think and imagine.

Columbia University

This frees up their parents to do something more productive.

The Economist

Europe will never thrive until it frees up its markets.

The Economist

This frees up class time for more interactive activities.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

That frees up this store at 200 Park.

The New York Times

And emptying camps of prisoners, experts added, frees up resources.

The New York Times

– frees up his lunchtimes by launching an evening show.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "frees up", consider what specific resource (time, space, funds) is being made available and be explicit to enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "frees up" in overly passive constructions that obscure the actor. Instead of "Time is freed up by the new system", prefer "The new system frees up time".

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "frees up" functions as a dynamic verb, indicating an action that results in something becoming available or less constrained. It highlights the process of liberation or clearance, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Academia

22%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "frees up" is a versatile and frequently used phrasal verb that signifies the action of making something available, whether it be time, space, or resources. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely accepted in written English. It is commonly found in news, academic, and scientific publications, indicating its suitability for neutral to professional contexts. To enhance clarity, specify which resource is being freed up, and avoid passive constructions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

makes available

Focuses on the action of making something accessible or ready for use.

clears

Emphasizes the removal of obstacles or blockages.

releases

Suggests the act of liberating or setting something free.

opens up

Highlights the creation of opportunities or possibilities.

liberates

Implies freeing from constraints or limitations.

makes room for

Emphasizes creating physical or metaphorical space.

allows for

Indicates the granting of permission or possibility.

unblocks

Suggests removing an obstruction.

disentangles

Focuses on untangling or separating something.

decongests

Implies relieving congestion or overcrowding.

FAQs

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

You can use "frees up" to indicate that something makes time, space, or resources available. For instance, "Automating this task "frees up" valuable time for other priorities".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "frees up"?

Alternatives to "frees up" include "makes available", "releases", or "opens up", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "free up" instead of "frees up"?

"Free up" is used in the infinitive or imperative form, while "frees up" is the third-person singular present tense. For example, "I need to free up some space", but "This action "frees up" space automatically".

What's the difference between "frees up" and "simplifies"?

"Frees up" implies making something available, while "simplifies" means making something easier to understand or do. For example, "Delegating this task "frees up" my time", but "This new software "simplifies" the workflow".