to eliminate

USAGE SUMMARY

"to eliminate" is a perfectly acceptable and commonly used word in written English.
You can use it when you are talking about the act of removing or getting rid of something. For example, "We need to find a way to eliminate poverty in our community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What does it mean to eliminate it?

Unicef

Others want to eliminate Medicare.

The New York Times

They want to eliminate corruption".

The New York Times

"I want to eliminate ISIS".

The New Yorker

We're trying to eliminate them.

The New York Times

Ready to eliminate someone?

The New York Times - Sports

We just tried to eliminate that".

The New York Times - Sports

("Idea to eliminate garbage: edible paper").

The New York Times - Tech

"The first priority is to eliminate Hamas".

The Economist

Resolved: To eliminate the check-in desk.

The New York Times

That's the way to eliminate Wilders".

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for precision, consider "to eliminate" over more casual alternatives like "to get rid of". It conveys a sense of thoroughness and finality.

Common error

While grammatically sound, repeatedly using "to eliminate" in casual conversation or informal writing can sound stilted. Opt for simpler alternatives like "to remove" or "to cut out" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The infinitive phrase "to eliminate" functions primarily as a verbal, often serving as a noun (subject or object) or an adjective modifying another noun. Ludwig AI validates this usage with numerous examples across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Wiki

32%

Science

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to eliminate" is a versatile infinitive phrase with the function of expressing removal, eradication, or disposal. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage across a wide range of contexts, from formal writing in business and scientific fields to more casual communication in news and general articles. While "to eliminate" is a grammatically correct phrase with a high frequency of use, it's important to be aware of its level of formality in order to select better alternatives based on register and context. Keep this in mind to create content that is concise, precise, and well received by your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to remove

A general term for taking something away, less forceful than "to eliminate".

to get rid of

A more informal way of saying "to eliminate", suggesting a simple removal.

to eradicate

Implies complete destruction or removal, stronger than "to eliminate".

to wipe out

An informal phrase for completely destroying or removing something.

to dispose of

Means to get rid of something, often something unwanted.

to abolish

Refers to formally putting an end to a system, practice, or institution.

to do away with

An idiomatic expression meaning to get rid of or abolish.

to obliterate

Suggests complete destruction, often used in a more dramatic context.

to cut out

A more direct and sometimes abrupt way to say remove.

to extinguish

Implies putting an end to something, often used metaphorically.

FAQs

How can I use "to eliminate" in a sentence?

The phrase "to eliminate" is an infinitive and can be used in various sentence structures. For example, "The goal is "to eliminate" errors", "We need "to eliminate" waste", or "They want "to eliminate" corruption".

What are some alternatives to "to eliminate"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases such as "to remove", "to eradicate", "to abolish", or "to get rid of" as alternatives to "to eliminate".

Is it always appropriate to use "to eliminate" in formal writing?

While generally appropriate, consider the specific nuance you wish to convey. "To eliminate" suggests a complete and decisive removal. If a less forceful action is intended, "to reduce" or "to minimize" might be more suitable.

What's the difference between "to eliminate" and "to reduce"?

"To eliminate" means to completely remove or get rid of something, whereas "to reduce" means to lessen or decrease something. For example, you might aim "to eliminate" errors in a document, but only "to reduce" the amount of waste produced.