got rid of

USAGE SUMMARY

"got rid of" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use "got rid of" to talk about something that is no longer present because it was intentionally removed or thrown away. Example: "I finally got rid of all the old furniture in the bedroom."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Got rid of everything.

The New York Times - Sports

I got rid of that.

The New York Times

Finally, I got rid of the pictures.

The New York Times

First I got rid of my books.

The New York Times

I just got rid of it".

The New York Times - Sports

We got rid of Osama Bin Laden.

The New York Times

I got rid of it all.

The New Yorker

Imagineers simply got rid of it.

The New York Times - Travel

Mr. Crews was being got rid of.

The New Yorker

You got rid of six guys.

The New York Times

He even got rid of cock-fighting.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "got rid of" when you want to describe the action of eliminating something unwanted or unnecessary. Ensure that the context clearly indicates what was removed and why.

Common error

Avoid using "got rid of" in highly formal or academic writing where more sophisticated vocabulary like "eliminated" or "removed" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "got rid of" functions as a dynamic verb phrase indicating the action of eliminating or discarding something. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use across various contexts, from eliminating physical objects to removing abstract concepts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

18%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "got rid of" is a common and grammatically sound phrasal verb used to describe the action of eliminating or discarding something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples across various contexts. While versatile, its informal tone suggests that more formal alternatives like "eliminated" or "removed" may be more suitable for academic or professional writing. As shown in the analysis, "got rid of" is predominantly used in News & Media, Academia, and Formal & Business settings, making it a widely applicable phrase in everyday communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gotten rid of

Uses the past participle 'gotten' instead of 'got', slightly more formal.

eliminated

Focuses on complete removal, often in a more formal context.

disposed of

Emphasizes the act of discarding something, often unwanted.

removed

Highlights the act of taking something away.

discarded

Similar to 'disposed of', but can also imply something was deemed worthless.

eradicated

Suggests a thorough and complete removal, often of something negative.

cleared out

Implies removing clutter or unwanted items from a space.

expunged

Suggests the act of erasing or obliterating something, often from a record.

ditched

Informal term for getting rid of something quickly or carelessly.

axed

Implies cutting something out, often in a business or organizational context.

FAQs

What does "got rid of" mean?

"Got rid of" means to eliminate, dispose of, or remove something that is no longer wanted or needed.

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

You can say, "I "got rid of" all the old clothes in my closet" or "The company "got rid of" several outdated policies".

What's a more formal way to say "got rid of"?

More formal alternatives include "eliminated", "removed", or "disposed of" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "gotten rid of" instead of "got rid of"?

Both "got rid of" and "gotten rid of" are grammatically correct, but "got rid of" is more common in American English. "Gotten rid of" is more frequently used in British English.