trim the excess

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "trim the excess" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of removing unnecessary or surplus elements from something, such as text, materials, or expenses. Example: "To improve the clarity of your report, you should trim the excess and focus on the main points."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"You have to trim the excess dough to make sure there's equal pasta to filling," he said.

The New York Times

Press the edges together, trim the excess, then crimp the edges with the tines of a fork.

The New York Times - Magazine

Leave 1-inch of dough overhanging the edge of the pie dish and trim the excess dough with kitchen scissors.

Huffington Post

Then trim the excess and you'll have a concise essay.

WikiHow

Tie the thread end and trim the excess.

WikiHow

You can trim the excess fishing line with scissors.

WikiHow

You can trim the excess later, if you wish.

WikiHow

Once the glue has dried enough, trim the excess stringer with an X-acto knife.

WikiHow

Sew down both sides; trim the excess pieces of fabric off the bow.

WikiHow

If they end up being too big, you can trim the excess.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

With a pair of scissors, trim the excess felt off of the bottom.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing instructions or recipes, use "trim the excess" to clearly indicate the removal of unwanted material for a cleaner result. This improves the final appearance and function of the object or dish.

Common error

While "trim the excess" is widely understood, avoid using it excessively in formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise language that specifies how the excess is being reduced or eliminated, such as "reduce", "eliminate", or "decrease".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "trim the excess" functions primarily as an imperative instruction, often found in how-to guides and recipes. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English, directing someone to remove superfluous material.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

47%

News & Media

15%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "trim the excess" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to instruct the removal of unnecessary parts. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is widely used and accepted in English writing. While it appears most frequently in Wiki and News & Media contexts, it's essential to consider the register and opt for more formal alternatives like "reduce the excess" in academic or professional settings. Following the writing guidance ensures clarity and appropriateness, enhancing your communication effectiveness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remove the excess

This alternative directly replaces "trim" with "remove", maintaining a very close semantic equivalence.

cut off the excess

Replaces "trim" with "cut off", implying a more abrupt or decisive removal of the excess.

eliminate the excess

Substitute "trim" with "eliminate", suggesting a complete removal of the surplus.

reduce the excess

This option focuses on diminishing the amount of excess rather than completely removing it.

pare down the excess

"Pare down" replaces "trim", suggesting a gradual and careful reduction.

shave off the excess

This suggests removing a thin layer of the surplus, like shaving.

get rid of the excess

A more informal way to say remove the excess.

weed out the excess

This alternative is more metaphorical, suggesting removing unwanted elements as in a garden.

streamline by removing excess

This focuses on the result of removing the excess, which is to streamline or improve efficiency.

decrease the unnecessary amount

Focus on reduction in quantity, using more formal vocabulary.

FAQs

How can I use "trim the excess" in a sentence?

You can use "trim the excess" when you want to express the action of removing the unnecessary part of something. For example, "You have to trim the excess dough to make sure there's equal pasta to filling."

What is a more formal way to say "trim the excess"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "reduce the excess", "eliminate the excess", or "decrease the unnecessary amount" for a more professional tone.

Is "trim the excess" grammatically correct?

Yes, "trim the excess" is grammatically correct. "Trim" is a verb, "the" is an article, and "excess" is a noun. It follows a standard verb-object structure.

What does "trim the excess" mean?

The phrase "trim the excess" means to remove the part of something that is not needed or is more than what is required, making the final result neater or more effective.