remove

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "remove" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when instructing someone to take something away or eliminate it from a particular context or situation. Example: "Please remove any unnecessary items from your desk before the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"There will be some circumstances in which it's right for public bodies, for example at the border, at airport security, to say there is a practical necessity for asking somebody to remove a veil.

The Guardian

It said: [Evraz] is seeking approval...of the holders of the notes to remove a covenant requiring the company to maintain the net leverage ratio at or below a specified level.

The Guardian - Business

Remove from the pan and set aside.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Assange calls the site "an uncensorable system for untraceable mass document leaking and public analysis," and a government or company that wanted to remove content from WikiLeaks would have to practically dismantle the Internet itself.

The Economist

To achieve this it is necessary to vote against the possibility of a referendum, and to remove the spectre of leaving the EU from the political horizon.

The Guardian

When the sauce is thickened and glossy, remove from the heat, whisk in the lemon juice and season to taste.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Speaking to the Guardian ahead of this week's half-yearly meeting of the World Bank in Washington DC, Kim said he had been impressed by the energy of the divestment campaigns on university campuses in the US, aimed at persuading investors to remove their funds from fossil fuel companies.

The Guardian

Community activist Stafford Scott said "we are very disappointed" and called for a public inquiry into why police did not remove the gun from the streets when its existence was first reported to them.

The Guardian

It doesn't remove the fear I feel for my future but it does make it more manageable.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Jezebel, the popular women's website, has posted a story, describing in lingering detail, the much-feared-but-never-spoken-of experience of forgetting to remove a tampon (after 10 days it smelled of "rotting fish meets sewage meets Black Death").

The Guardian - Lifestyle

There are not 'topless beaches' so much as beaches everywhere where bathers remove swimsuits to get an even tan".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone to "remove" something, be specific about what needs to be removed and from where to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

While "remove" is versatile, overuse can make writing sound monotonous. Vary your vocabulary by using synonyms like "eliminate", "extract", or "withdraw" depending on the specific context.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "remove" is as a transitive verb, indicating the action of taking something away or eliminating it. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable status in written English. Examples from Ludwig show it used to describe physical removal, abstract elimination, and dismissal.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Lifestyle

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the verb "remove" is a versatile and frequently used term that indicates the act of taking something away or eliminating it, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for a variety of contexts, from news and media to lifestyle writing. While it is grammatically correct and widely accepted, it's important to vary your vocabulary to avoid monotony, using synonyms like "eliminate", "extract", or "withdraw" where appropriate. It is also very useful to ensure specific instruction to be highly effective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Take away

Focuses on the physical action of taking something from a place.

Eliminate

Suggests a complete removal, often of something undesirable.

Eradicate

Implies a thorough and permanent removal, often of something harmful.

Extract

Highlights the process of carefully taking something out of something else.

Withdraw

Suggests taking something back or away, often in a formal context.

Detach

Emphasizes the separation of something from a larger entity.

Dislodge

Indicates forceful removal, often from a fixed position.

Expunge

Implies erasing or blotting out something, often from a record.

Delete

Refers specifically to removing digital information.

Clear

Highlights the action of making something free of obstructions or unwanted elements.

FAQs

How can I use "remove" in a sentence?

You can use "remove" in a sentence to indicate taking something away, such as "Please remove the dishes from the table" or "The software can remove viruses from your computer".

What can I say instead of "remove"?

You can use alternatives like "take away", "eliminate", or "extract" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "remove" or "take off"?

While both "remove" and "take off" can indicate removing something, "remove" is generally more formal and versatile. "Take off" is often used for clothing or aircraft.

What's the difference between "remove" and "delete"?

"Remove" is a general term for taking something away, while "delete" specifically refers to permanently erasing digital information. So you can "remove" a stain from a shirt, but you "delete" a file from your computer.