Cool MateClear down vs Remove
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Clear down
Beyond 10,000 (less common)
Remove
Top 1,000 (very common)A2verb
Most common: Remove
| Clear down | Remove | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //klɪə daʊn//🇺🇸 //klɪr daʊn// | 🇬🇧 /["/rɪˈmuːv/","/rɪˈmuːvz/","/rɪˈmuːvd/","/rɪˈmuːvɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/rɪˈmuːv/","/rɪˈmuːvz/","/rɪˈmuːvd/","/rɪˈmuːvɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To remove things, making a space clean. | To take something away or get rid of it. |
| Example | I need to clear down my desk before the meeting. | Please remove the stain from the carpet. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Beyond 10,000 (less common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | A2 |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | clear down the workspace, clear down the clutter, clear down the room, clear down the equipment, clear down the data | 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 |
| Antonyms | - | add, include |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'clear out', which can imply a more thorough removal., Using 'clear down' when referring to a decrease in something that isn't physical., Mixing up with 'clean up', which focuses more on cleaning rather than removing items. | 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. |
| Usage notes | Use 'clear down' in neutral or semi-formal contexts. It's appropriate when talking about tidying up. Avoid it in highly formal situations. | 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. |
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Frequently asked questions: Clear down vs Remove
What's the difference between Clear down and Remove?
Clear down: To remove things, making a space clean. Remove: To take something away or get rid of it.
Which is more common: Clear down and Remove?
Remove is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Clear down: I need to clear down my desk before the meeting. Remove: Please remove the stain from the carpet.
Can I use Clear down and Remove interchangeably?
Not always. Clear down and Remove 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.