ridding

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "ridding" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it as a verb to mean getting rid of something or freeing oneself from something. For example, "The organization was successful in ridding the city of the problem pests."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I will, in due course, close my current account and open one with Santander, thus earning interest as well as ridding myself of such an "impersonal", disloyal and rude organisation.

The Guardian - Money

It opened with numbing platitudes about "legislating for all the people" and ended with pious hopes about ridding the world of terror.

The Guardian - Opinion

The idea of tidying up our lives, ridding ourselves of material clutter, is ancient and enduring, a practical and emotional goal we're constantly trying to achieve – check out "storage solutions" on Pinterest to see almost fetish-like homages to tidiness.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

On the day the investigation came to light Morrison launched a blistering video message to defence force members that he would be "ruthless in ridding the army of people who cannot live up to its values".

The Guardian

Ridding Scotland of the Tories was the main slogan of the independence campaign and remains the SNP's battle-cry.

The Economist

If the commission is serious about ridding Europe of state subsidies to airlines, it must examine benefits received by flag carriers and low-cost airlines alike.Fred LinkSomerville, MassachusettsWho's to blame?SIR – Grzegorz Kolodko's attribution of Poland's economic ills to Leszek Balcerowicz is misplaced (Letters, February 21st).

The Economist

Faced with this prospect, Mr Schröder seems to be having some difficulty ridding himself of those "erroneous ideas of national sovereignty".

The Economist

Remedial work at Rho posed all the usual challenges that go with dismantling an oil refinery and ridding the site of hydrocarbon and metal residuals.

The Economist

"The 60- to 70-year-olds here voted Communist; the 40- to 50-year-olds voted Socialist; their children vote National Front .The Front's local success is partly down to Ms Le Pen's efforts to make the party more presentable, ridding it of the neo-Nazi links of her father and predecessor, Jean-Marie, who made his base in the south of France.

The Economist

India, a country that once aspired to double-digit growth, can now only dream of ridding itself of double-digit inflation.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

When he produced Mujhse Dosti Karoge a decade later, Chopra again returned to Ullswater to film aboard one of the steamers which ply between Glen Ridding and Pooley Bridge, reveling in the twisting lake, rolling fells and narrow, winding roads of the national park.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ridding", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being removed and why it's undesirable. Clarity enhances the impact of your writing.

Common error

While "ridding" is versatile, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing. Consider stronger alternatives like "eliminating" or "eradicating" for a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "ridding" is as a verb, specifically in its present participle form. It functions to describe the action of eliminating something undesirable. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and effective in conveying this meaning.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ridding" is a versatile verb form used to describe the act of eliminating something undesirable. As Ludwig AI points out, it's grammatically sound and commonly used. While generally neutral in tone, more formal alternatives may be preferred in academic contexts. Its frequent appearance in sources like The Economist and The Guardian underscores its relevance in contemporary writing. When using "ridding", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being removed and why it's undesirable for maximum clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

eliminating

Focuses on complete removal, often implying a more thorough process than "ridding".

eradicating

Signifies completely destroying or eliminating something, often a problem or disease.

removing

A more general term for taking something away, which may or may not be unwanted.

freeing

Emphasizes liberation from something restrictive or burdensome.

clearing

Implies making space by removing obstacles or unwanted items.

expelling

Suggests forcing something out, often used for abstract concepts or people.

unburdening

Focuses on relieving someone or something of a load or responsibility.

purging

Implies a thorough cleansing, often from impurities or undesirable elements.

disposing of

Implies getting rid of something, often in a practical or mundane sense.

excising

Suggests surgically removing something, often a part of a whole.

FAQs

How to use "ridding" in a sentence?

The term "ridding" is used as a verb, often in the form of a gerund or participle, to describe the act of removing something unwanted. For example: "They focused on "ridding the city of crime"".

What can I say instead of "ridding"?

You can use alternatives like "eliminating", "removing", or "eradicating" depending on the context.

Is "ridding" formal or informal?

"Ridding" is generally considered neutral in tone. While suitable for many contexts, more formal alternatives like "eliminating" or "eradicating" may be preferred in academic or professional writing.

What is the difference between "ridding" and "removing"?

"Removing" is a more general term for taking something away. "Ridding" specifically implies getting rid of something unwanted or undesirable. Therefore, "ridding" carries a stronger connotation of eliminating something negative.