Eliminate: removing a possibility or problem

The idea

Use eliminate directly with the thing removed; use from to name its source and as to name a role ruled out.

Examples

• The team eliminated one option after checking the cost.
• A new filter can eliminate dust from the air.
• Maya checked the figures twice to eliminate errors.
• The test eliminated a faulty cable as the cause.
• The new schedule eliminated the long wait for patients.
• We cannot eliminate every risk, but we can reduce it.

Watch out

Do not confuse eliminate with reduce: eliminating a risk means removing it, not merely making it smaller.

Try it yourself

1. Choose the correct answer. The inspection ___ the leak last week. (eliminated / eliminates)

   Show answer or example answer

   eliminated

   eliminated places the inspection in the completed past.

2. Choose the correct answer. This change could eliminate delays ___ the process. (from / to)

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   from

   from identifies the process where the delays occurred.

3. Choose the correct answer. The evidence eliminated that theory ___ a possibility. (as / for)

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   as

   as identifies the role of the theory as a possibility.

Use it today

Describe a problem you eliminated and an option you ruled out.