remove excess

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "remove excess" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it in contexts where you want to indicate the elimination of surplus or unnecessary items. For example, "Please remove excess material from the project." Alternative expressions include "eliminate surplus" and "get rid of excess."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Invert to remove excess.

The New York Times - Food

Press gently to remove excess moisture.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Shake colander to remove excess coating.

The New York Times - Food

Diuretics are prescribed to remove excess fluid.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Sprinkle with bread crumbs to coat; remove excess crumbs.

The New York Times

1. Remove excess fat from duck or duck legs.

The New York Times - Food

"Additional opportunities to remove excess capacity do exist," he said.

The New York Times

Use the stiff-bristled brush to remove excess mortar.

The New York Times

Wipe with a paper towel to remove excess oil.

The New York Times - Magazine

Then, run the filter under water to remove excess grounds.

Huffington Post

Remove excess.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In technical writing, pair the phrase with a specific tool or method to increase clarity, such as "remove excess with a damp cloth" or "use a colander to remove excess water".

Common error

Writers sometimes mistakenly use "remove excessive" when they mean "remove excess". Remember that "excess" functions here as a noun or an attributive noun representing the surplus itself, while "excessive" is an adjective describing an action or quality that goes beyond what is normal (e.g. "excessive noise"). Use "remove excess" when referring to the physical quantity being discarded.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "remove excess" functions as a transitive verb phrase typically used in the imperative mood. It consists of the base verb "remove" and the noun "excess", which acts as the direct object. In the vast majority of cases found in Ludwig, it serves as a core instruction in procedural texts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

65%

News & Media

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Academic

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "remove excess" is a robust and indispensable phrase in the English language, particularly within instructional and technical writing. Ludwig AI confirms its high frequency and correctness across diverse fields such as culinary arts, medicine and home improvement. Whether you are advising someone to "remove excess fat" or to "remove excess moisture", the phrase provides a clear and concise directive. It is characterized by its versatility and is almost always the most efficient way to tell a reader to get rid of a surplus material. While synonyms like "eliminate surplus" exist, they often carry a more formal weight that may not be as suitable for direct, action-oriented instructions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

get rid of excess

A more colloquial and direct phrasing of the same instruction

eliminate surplus

More formal and often used in business or logistical contexts

drain off the surplus

Commonly used for liquids or fluids rather than solids

discard the remainder

Focuses on getting rid of what is left over after a specific step

wipe away residue

Specific to cleaning or surfaces where the excess is a thin layer

trim the fat

Idiomatic when used for budgets or literal in culinary contexts

strip away extras

Suggests a more aggressive or thorough removal of unnecessary layers

prune the surplus

Metaphorical, implies a careful or selective cutting back

clear out leftovers

More informal and common in domestic or storage contexts

excise the remainder

Highly formal and technical, often used in medical or surgical contexts

FAQs

What can I say instead of "remove excess"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "eliminate surplus", "trim away" or "wipe away".

Is it correct to use "remove excess" in medical writing?

Yes, as shown in Ludwig's examples from Encyclopedia Britannica, the phrase is perfectly acceptable in medical contexts, such as describing how diuretics are used to "remove excess fluid" from the body.

Should I say "remove excess" or "remove the excess"?

Both are correct. "remove excess" often acts as a direct imperative in recipes or manuals, while "remove the excess" is slightly more specific, referring to a particular surplus previously mentioned.

Can I use "remove excess" for abstract things like time or cost?

While technically possible, it is more common to use "reduce costs" or "eliminate waste". "remove excess" is most frequently applied to physical materials or substances.