strain out

USAGE SUMMARY

"strain out" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
This phrase is typically used to describe the action of filtering or removing something from a liquid or mixture. It can also be used figuratively to mean removing something unwanted or unnecessary. For example: - "I strained out the seeds from the tomato sauce before adding it to the pasta." - "After boiling the tea leaves, I used a strainer to strain out the liquid into a cup." - "She strained out the sand from the muddy water to make it safe for drinking." - "The therapist helped me to strain out my negative thoughts and focus on the positive." - "We need to strain out the unnecessary information from the report to make it more concise."

✓ Grammatically correct

Cooking

Liquid purification

Figurative removal of unwanted elements

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"You can strain out the dark specks if you wish," he said.

The New York Times

The ability to strain out extraneous light input is the largest challenging still facing the Leap.

The Guardian - Tech

When feeding, they swim with mouths agape and gill openings widespread to strain out plankton.

Encyclopedia Britannica

2. Strain out all water.

HuffPost

Strain out cooking liquid, skim the fat and simmer liquid to reduce by at least half.

Huffington Post

Strain out any solids.

WikiHow

The cloth will allow you to strain out more pulp.

WikiHow

To do this, strain out the fish before serving.

WikiHow

Return the mashed rose petals in the water and strain out any moisture.

WikiHow

You simply need to strain out any herbs, blossoms, and solid contaminants.

WikiHow

Strain out all solid food in the soup, or if the pieces are small, leave some.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "strain out" in cooking contexts, specify the tool used, such as a sieve or cheesecloth, for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "strain out" in highly abstract situations where more appropriate verbs like "eliminate" or "remove" would better convey the intended meaning. The phrase is best used when a physical separation process is conceptually relevant.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "strain out" is that of a phrasal verb. It typically acts as a verb within a sentence, describing the action of separating solids from liquids, or metaphorically, unwanted elements from a situation. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples where "strain out" functions as the main verb, directly indicating the action performed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

30%

News & Media

25%

The Guardian - Lifestyle

7%

Less common in

The New York Times

5%

Huffington Post

5%

Encyclopedia Britannica

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "strain out" is a versatile phrasal verb used to describe the action of separating something from a mixture, physically or metaphorically. It is considered grammatically correct, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, and is commonly used across various contexts, including cooking, science, and everyday situations. While generally neutral in register, it's important to consider the specific context to ensure appropriate usage. Alternatives like "filter out" and "sift out" can be used depending on the desired nuance. Overall, "strain out" is a useful and widely understood phrase in the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

filter out

Focuses on selectively removing elements based on specific criteria.

sift out

Implies separating smaller particles from larger ones, often in a dry medium.

separate out

Highlights the act of distinguishing and isolating one component from others.

extract

Suggests obtaining a specific substance or element from a mixture.

remove

A general term for taking something away.

eliminate

Implies a complete removal, often of something undesirable.

weed out

Suggests removing undesirable elements from a larger group, often with careful selection.

purge

Implies a thorough cleansing or removal of impurities.

decant

Refers specifically to pouring off liquid, leaving sediment behind.

differentiate out

Focuses on highlighting differences by performing a separation.

FAQs

How do I use "strain out" in a sentence?

You can use "strain out" to describe physically removing solids from a liquid, as in, "I "strain out" the pasta water with a colander". It can also be used metaphorically, such as, "I try to "strain out" all the negativity from my life".

What can I say instead of "strain out"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "filter out", "sift out", or "separate out".

Is it always necessary to physically "strain out"?

No, "strain out" can be used metaphorically to describe the process of removing or eliminating unwanted elements, even if no physical straining is involved. For example, one can ""strain out" distracting thoughts".

What's the difference between "strain out" and "filter out"?

"Strain out" generally refers to a simpler, more direct separation process, often using a sieve or cloth. "Filter out" suggests a more selective and refined separation, potentially using a specialized filter.