get rid of

USAGE SUMMARY

"get rid of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the concept of removing or disposing something. Example: "We need to get rid of this old furniture and replace it with something more modern."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Get rid of mineral deposits.

WikiHow

"Get rid of?" "Get rid of".

The New Yorker

"Get rid of her".

The New Yorker

"Get rid of?" "Keep".

The New Yorker

"Get rid of them".

The New York Times

Get rid of capitalism.

Independent

"Get rid of".

The New Yorker

Get rid of everything.

The New Yorker

Get rid of anxiety?

The New York Times

Get rid of that.

Cornell University

"Get rid of the lobbyists".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "get rid of" when you want to express the action of removing something unwanted or unnecessary. For example, "I need to get rid of these old clothes."

Common error

While "get rid of" is perfectly acceptable in many situations, avoid using it in highly formal writing. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "eliminate", "remove", or "dispose of" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "get rid of" is as a phrasal verb. Ludwig AI confirms its usage in expressing the act of removing, discarding, or eliminating something unwanted. It combines the verb "get" with the particle "rid" and the preposition "of" to create a distinct meaning.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

55%

News & Media

31%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "get rid of" is a very common and grammatically sound phrasal verb used to convey the act of eliminating, removing, or discarding something unwanted. Ludwig AI confirms its broad applicability. While versatile, it leans towards the informal side, making it essential to consider the context and opt for more formal alternatives like "eliminate" or "dispose of" in professional or academic writing. The phrase is most frequently found in Wiki and News & Media sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

eliminate

Focuses on completely removing something, often something unwanted.

remove

Emphasizes taking something away from a place or position.

dispose of

A more formal way to say "get rid of", often used for waste or unwanted items.

eliminate completely

It puts emphasis on the completeness of elimination, often of something unwanted.

discard

Implies throwing something away because it is no longer useful or wanted.

do away with

Similar to abolish, but can also refer to getting rid of something less formal.

abolish

Suggests formally ending a system, practice, or institution.

eradicate

Implies completely destroying or eliminating something, often something negative.

be done with

Indicates a desire to end involvement or contact with something.

shake off

Suggests freeing oneself from something burdensome or unwanted.

FAQs

What does "get rid of" mean?

The phrase "get rid of" means to eliminate, remove, or dispose of something. It's a common way to express the action of discarding or freeing yourself from something unwanted.

How can I use "get rid of" in a sentence?

You can use "get rid of" in various contexts. For example: "We need to "dispose of" the old furniture", or "I want to "eliminate" all the clutter in my house."

What are some alternatives to "get rid of"?

Some alternatives to "get rid of" include "eliminate", "remove", "discard", "dispose of", and "abolish". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "get rid of" in formal writing?

While "get rid of" is widely understood, it might be too informal for certain formal contexts. In those cases, consider using alternatives like "eliminate" or "dispose of" to maintain a more professional tone.