Cool MateEliminate vs Remove vs Throw out all the other evidence
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Eliminate
Remove
Throw out all the other evidence
| Eliminate | Remove | Throw out all the other evidence | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ɪˈlɪmɪneɪt//🇺🇸 //ɪˈlɪməˌneɪt// | 🇬🇧 /["/rɪˈmuːv/","/rɪˈmuːvz/","/rɪˈmuːvd/","/rɪˈmuːvɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/rɪˈmuːv/","/rɪˈmuːvz/","/rɪˈmuːvd/","/rɪˈmuːvɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //θrəʊ aʊt ɔːl ði ˈʌðə ˈɛvɪdəns//🇺🇸 //θroʊ aʊt ɔl ði ˈʌðər ˈɛvɪdəns// |
| Meaning | To completely get rid of something. | To take something away or get rid of it. | remove everything else that proves something |
| Example | We need to eliminate unnecessary expenses to save money. | Please remove the stain from the carpet. | In the meeting, the lawyer said to throw out all the other evidence. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | A2 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | verb | |
| Collocations | eliminate risks, eliminate competition, eliminate errors, eliminate waste | altogether, completely, entirely, try to, be possible to, be difficult to, for, from, with, altogether, completely, entirely, try to, be possible to, be difficult to, for, from, with | throw out evidence, throw out information, throw out facts |
| Antonyms | retain, keep, maintain | add, include | retain evidence, keep, preserve |
| Common mistakes | Confusing with 'limit' - eliminating means to remove completely., Using 'eliminate' intransitively without an object., Overusing in casual speech instead of simpler terms like 'remove'. | Confusing 'remove' with 'erase' — 'erase' is often used for writing or drawings., Using 'remove' without a clear object — remember to specify what is being removed., Incorrectly using 'removal' as a verb. | Confused with 'throw away' - both mean discard but used differently, Omitting 'the other evidence' and using just 'throw out the evidence', Using it in positive contexts like 'throw out good evidence' |
| Usage notes | Use 'eliminate' in formal and neutral contexts, like in writing or presentations. Avoid in very casual conversations. | Use 'remove' in neutral contexts, such as formal writing or conversations. It is less common in informal speech where simpler words like 'take away' might be preferred. | Use in contexts where something needs to be discarded; avoid in formal legal language. |
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Frequently asked questions: Eliminate vs Remove vs Throw out all the other evidence
What's the difference between Eliminate, Remove, and Throw out all the other evidence?
Eliminate: To completely get rid of something. Remove: To take something away or get rid of it. Throw out all the other evidence: remove everything else that proves something
Which is more common: Eliminate, Remove, and Throw out all the other evidence?
Remove is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Eliminate, Remove, and Throw out all the other evidence?
Eliminate is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.
Can you show an example of each?
Eliminate: We need to eliminate unnecessary expenses to save money. Remove: Please remove the stain from the carpet. Throw out all the other evidence: In the meeting, the lawyer said to throw out all the other evidence.
Can I use Eliminate, Remove, and Throw out all the other evidence interchangeably?
Not always. Eliminate, Remove, and Throw out all the other evidence 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.