remove all traces of

USAGE SUMMARY

"remove all traces of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to completely eliminate any evidence or indications of something. You can use this phrase when talking about getting rid of all evidence or remnants of a specific thing or action. For example: - "Please remove all traces of your previous edits on the document before submitting it." - "The cleaning crew promises to remove all traces of the party that took place last night." - "The detectives searched the crime scene, trying to remove all traces of the suspect's presence."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Splash water on your face a few times in a row to remove all traces of the makeup remover.

WikiHow

Remove all traces of eye makeup up with a gentle eye makeup remover at the end of the evening.

WikiHow

"The hotel had been told to remove all traces of alcohol, but what can you do?

The Guardian - Music

It is important to remove all traces of grout before it hardens completely.

The New York Times

They also had incentive, as one said, "to remove all traces of occupation".

The New York Times

Seashore sand needs to be thoroughly washed to remove all traces of salt.

The New York Times - Arts

Fifteen fairly young writers have decided to remove all traces of formal density from their work.

The Guardian - Books

(iv) The cylinder is dried immediately after hydrostatic testing to remove all traces of water.

Cornell University

Your beauty arsenal includes: A small bottle of Micellar lotion A super-gentle lotion to remove all traces of makeup.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Be sure to remove all traces of the old sealant, and make sure the surfaces are smooth.

The New York Times

At the end of his reign, an attempt was made to remove all traces of Hatshepsut's rule.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In scientific writing, use it to describe procedures like PCR or sterilization where contamination must be zero.

Common error

Do not use "traces" if you are referring to the removal of large, obvious items. For example, say "remove the furniture" rather than "remove all traces of the furniture" unless you specifically mean the dust, scuff marks and small remnants left behind by the pieces.

Linguistic Context

As a verb phrase, "remove all traces of" functions as a transitive construction where "remove" is the head verb, and "all traces of [something]" serves as the direct object. According to Ludwig, it is used to denote an action of absolute clearance.

Frequent in

Wiki

43%

News & Media

25%

Science

18%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "remove all traces of" is a highly versatile and grammatically correct expression used to signify the absolute disappearance of an object, substance or idea. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread utility across various domains, ranging from domestic cleaning tips on WikiHow to rigorous laboratory protocols in genomic research. With 60 distinct examples from high-authority sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian, the phrase demonstrates a strong presence in both professional and casual English. It is particularly effective when the writer needs to emphasize that not even the smallest remnant remains. Whether you are discussing forensic evidence, digital privacy or skincare, "remove all traces of" provides a clear and authoritative way to describe total elimination.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

eliminate all evidence of

Shifts the focus toward legal or forensic contexts where proof is being discarded.

wipe away every sign of

Emphasizes a physical or visual cleaning process through a more descriptive verb choice.

eradicate every vestige of

Uses more formal vocabulary to imply a permanent and deep-rooted removal.

obliterate all signs of

Suggests a more aggressive or forceful removal resulting in complete destruction.

clear all remnants of

Focuses specifically on the physical leftovers or remains of a substance.

erase all record of

Moves the context from physical matter to documentation, data or historical memory.

delete all data from

Specifies the action within a digital or information technology environment.

purge all indications of

Suggests a systematic or purifying removal, often seen in biological or administrative contexts.

cleanse all traces of

Implies a process of purification or an extremely thorough sanitation.

expunge all footprints of

Uses a metaphorical term to describe digital trails or physical tracks.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "remove all traces of"?

Depending on your context, you can use alternatives like "eliminate all evidence of", "wipe away every sign of" or "eradicate every vestige of".

Is "remove all traces of" formal enough for a research paper?

Yes, it is highly appropriate for scientific contexts. Ludwig examples show it used frequently in journals to describe procedures like removing DNA or chemical residues. You might also consider "obliterate all traces of" for even stronger emphasis.

Should I use "traces of" or "signs of"?

Use "traces" when referring to physical remnants, chemicals or microscopic evidence. Use "signs" when referring to indicators of a presence, mood or activity. If you want to sound more clinical, "traces" is usually the better choice.

How do you use "remove all traces of" in a sentence?

A common way to use it is: "The technician had to wash the equipment thoroughly to "remove all traces of" the solvent before starting the next experiment."