Eliminate vs Let us be rid of it

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Eliminate

Top 2,000 (common)B2verb

Let us be rid of it

Beyond 10,000 (less common)
Most common: Eliminate
 EliminateLet us be rid of it
Pronunciation🇬🇧 //ɪˈlɪmɪneɪt//🇺🇸 //ɪˈlɪməˌneɪt//🇬🇧 //lɛt ʌs biː rɪd ʌv ɪt//🇺🇸 //lɛt ʌs bi rɪd ʌv ɪt//
MeaningTo completely get rid of something.To get rid of something undesirable.
ExampleWe need to eliminate unnecessary expenses to save money.Let us be rid of it before it causes more trouble.
RegisterNeutralNeutral
How commonTop 2,000 (common)Beyond 10,000 (less common)
CEFR levelB2-
Part of speechverb
Collocationseliminate risks, eliminate competition, eliminate errors, eliminate wastelet us be free, let us be clear, let us be honest, let us move forward, let us take action
Antonymsretain, keep, maintain-
Common mistakesConfusing with 'limit' - eliminating means to remove completely., Using 'eliminate' intransitively without an object., Overusing in casual speech instead of simpler terms like 'remove'.Translated directly from native language without understanding nuance., Confused with 'let's get rid of it' which is more casual., Used in inappropriate contexts, such as informal conversations.
Usage notesUse 'eliminate' in formal and neutral contexts, like in writing or presentations. Avoid in very casual conversations.Use in contexts where you are suggesting to eliminate something negative. Slightly formal, more often used in written or spoken debates.

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Let us be rid of it

Frequently asked questions: Eliminate vs Let us be rid of it

What's the difference between Eliminate and Let us be rid of it?

Eliminate: To completely get rid of something. Let us be rid of it: To get rid of something undesirable.

Which is more common: Eliminate and Let us be rid of it?

Eliminate is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

Eliminate: We need to eliminate unnecessary expenses to save money. Let us be rid of it: Let us be rid of it before it causes more trouble.

Can I use Eliminate and Let us be rid of it interchangeably?

Not always. Eliminate and Let us be rid of it are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.

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