we got rid of

USAGE SUMMARY

'we got rid of' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when wanting to describe something that was eliminated, discontinued, or thrown away. Example sentence: We got rid of our old car last year.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

At least in Iraq we got rid of Saddam.

Huffington Post

We got rid of Osama Bin Laden.

The New York Times

We got rid of halls!

The New York Times

"We got rid of Klein.

The New Yorker

So we got rid of it.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

So we got rid of them.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

So we got rid of her.

The New York Times

"Have we got rid of the criminal?

The New York Times

"We got rid of the money".

The New York Times

We got rid of our set.

The New York Times

But: we got rid of it.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we got rid of" when you want to express the removal or elimination of something in a straightforward and easily understandable way. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though consider more formal alternatives like "we eliminated" for professional settings.

Common error

Avoid using "we got rid of" excessively in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "eliminated", "removed", or "abolished" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we got rid of" functions as a verb phrase, specifically a transitive phrasal verb. It indicates an action performed by the subject ("we") that results in the removal or elimination of an object. Ludwig AI confirms its validity for use in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Academia

28%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we got rid of" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrasal verb that expresses the action of removing or eliminating something. According to Ludwig AI, it is suitable for written English. While versatile, it tends to be more prevalent in news and media, as well as academic contexts. For formal writing, alternatives such as "eliminated" or "removed" may be more appropriate. The phrase's function is to inform or explain the disposal or removal of an item or issue. Keep in mind the context and audience to select the most fitting expression for your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we did away with

An idiomatic expression meaning to abolish or get rid of.

we removed

Suggests a physical or abstract taking away of something.

we eliminated

Focuses on a formal or systematic removal.

we disposed of

A more formal way to say "we got rid of", often used when talking about waste or unwanted items.

we discarded

Implies throwing something away because it's no longer needed or useful.

we scrapped

Suggests abandoning something, like a plan or project.

we abolished

Used for formally ending a system, practice, or institution.

we eradicated

Implies a complete and thorough removal, often used for problems or diseases.

we axed

An informal way to say something was cut or eliminated, often used in business contexts.

we chucked out

A very informal way to express throwing something away.

FAQs

How can I use "we got rid of" in a sentence?

You can use "we got rid of" to indicate that something has been eliminated or removed. For example, "We got rid of the old furniture" or "We got rid of the unnecessary regulations".

What's a more formal way to say "we got rid of"?

For more formal contexts, consider using alternatives such as "we eliminated", "we removed", or "we abolished" depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

Is "we got rid of" appropriate for business writing?

While generally acceptable, using alternatives like "we eliminated" or "we removed" might be preferable in formal business documents to maintain a professional tone.

What's the difference between "we got rid of" and "we disposed of"?

"We disposed of" is a more formal way of saying "we got rid of", often implying a careful or official method of getting rid of something, such as waste or unwanted materials. You might say, "We disposed of the hazardous waste properly".