rid

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rid" is correct and usable in written English when used as part of the expression "rid of." You can use it when you want to indicate the removal or elimination of something unwanted or undesirable.
Example: "We need to rid the house of pests before the summer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Oaklander surmises that itch evolved as a way for humans instinctively to rid themselves of dangerous insects.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The desired effect was achieved, with Burberry committing to rid its manufacturing process of toxic, perflourinated chemicals by 2020, as well as increasing supply chain transparency.

The Guardian

Speaking of Getafe, it's not unusual to have to get rid of someone because of your financial crisis.

The Guardian - Sport

"My first priority is to get rid of Stephen Harper," he said in response to the Liberal leader's rebuff.

The Guardian

They will now have to come up with an urgent plan to rid our towns and cities of cancer-causing diesel fumes," said Alan Andrews, lawyer with Client Earth which brought the case.

The Guardian

Step three Get rid of your 'just-in-case' items In most cases, any item you've been hanging on to "just in case" can be replaced "in less than 20 minutes for less than £10" – usually in a charity shop, or even for free online.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Afghans can only buy property, open a bank account and be confident they will be able to remain indefinitely in a country that wants rid of its refugee population by having a CNIC, usually acquired with fake documents and bribes.

The Guardian

I can guarantee that we get rid of a Tory government if you vote Labour".

The Guardian

She and her husband Marcus own a Minnesota clinic where counsellors encourage gay people to pray to rid themselves of same-sex desires.

The Guardian

He calls for somebody to give him a stretch and rid him of his cramp.

The Guardian - Sport

Who wouldn't want to get rid of their child's peanut allergy?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "rid", remember it's often followed by "of". For example: "rid of clutter".

Common error

Avoid omitting the preposition "of" after "rid" when intending to express removal. Saying "rid something" is grammatically incorrect; it should be "rid of something".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "rid" is a transitive verb, often used in the phrasal verb construction "rid of". It signifies the action of freeing someone or something from an unwanted element. This is supported by Ludwig examples where "rid" appears with objects, such as "rid the world of poverty".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Lifestyle

25%

Sport

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the verb "rid", primarily used in the form "rid of", is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression for eliminating something unwanted. As Ludwig AI states, it's often followed by the preposition "of". Its usage spans various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Lifestyle, and Sports, exhibiting a neutral tone. When writing, ensure you include "of" after "rid" to avoid grammatical errors. Ludwig's examples and external resources confirm its consistent application in standard English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

get free of

This alternative places emphasis on achieving freedom or liberation from something.

eliminate

This term suggests a complete and thorough removal of something.

remove

This implies taking something away from a particular place or situation.

clear out

Focuses on the action of making a space free from unwanted items.

expel

Suggests a forceful removal or ejection of something.

purge

Implies a thorough cleansing or elimination of impurities or unwanted elements.

eradicate

This conveys a complete and permanent destruction or elimination.

excise

Suggests surgically removing something.

obviate

Means to anticipate and prevent the need for something, effectively removing the problem.

be relieved of

Highlights the feeling of relief that comes from getting rid of something burdensome.

FAQs

How to use "rid" in a sentence?

The verb "rid" is typically used in the form "rid of" to indicate freeing oneself or something else from an unwanted element. For example, "We need to "get rid of" the old furniture".

What can I say instead of "rid of"?

You can use alternatives like "eliminate", "remove", or "get free of" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "rid something" without "of"?

No, it's generally incorrect to say "rid something" without the preposition "of". The correct usage is "rid of something". For instance, "rid of debt" is correct, while "rid debt" is not.

What's the difference between "rid of" and "free from"?

"Rid of" and "free from" are quite similar, both suggesting liberation from something. However, "rid of" often implies a more active removal, while "free from" suggests a state of being without something. For example, 'rid the house of pests' versus 'free from anxiety'.