What is remove? Pronunciation and usage in English

remove means . Learn how to pronounce and use remove through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of remove

removeverb

/rɪˈmuːv/
Definition & pronunciation of remove

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "remove" in English. There are a couple of common pronunciations, and it really depends on where you're from (American vs. British English).

1. American English (Most Common):

  • Ruh-moov - This is the most frequent pronunciation in the United States.
    • Ruh: Like the "ru" in "run"
    • moov: Similar to "move," but with a slightly shorter vowel sound. It rhymes with “prove”.

2. British English:

  • Re-moov - This is the standard pronunciation in the UK.
    • Re: Like the letter "R," but often quieter.
    • moov: Same as above – similar to "move" but with a shorter vowel.

Here's a breakdown of the sounds:

  • The 'r' sound: The 'r' in "remove" is often slightly softened in American English, particularly at the end of the word. In British English, it's generally pronounced more distinctly.
  • The vowel sound in "moo": The “oo” sound is key. It’s a short, open “uh” sound, like in the word “but.” Don't overemphasize it.

Resources to help you hear it:

To help me give you the most helpful advice, could you tell me:

  • Where are you from (generally)? (e.g., United States, United Kingdom, Australia, etc.)

Usage and examples with the word remove in English

Let's break down how to use the word "remove" in English. It's a versatile word with a few different nuances. Here's a breakdown, categorized by usage:

1. Basic Removal – Taking Something Away

  • Definition: The most common meaning – to take something away, eliminate it, or get rid of it.
  • Examples:
    • "Please remove your shoes when you enter the house." (Take them off)
    • "He had to remove the stain from the carpet." (Get rid of it)
    • "I need to remove this unwanted file from my computer." (Delete it)
    • "The doctor had to remove the appendix." (Surgically take it out)

2. Removing a Person (Often from a Position or Group)

  • Definition: To take someone out of a role, position, or group.
  • Examples:
    • "She was removed from her job due to misconduct." (Fired)
    • "He was removed from the committee." (Excluded)
    • "The police removed the suspect from the vehicle." (Took him out)

3. Removing Something From a Surface

  • Definition: To lift or detach something from a surface.
  • Examples:
    • "Carefully remove the lid from the jar." (Lift it off)
    • "The painter removed the old wallpaper." (Scraped it off)
    • “Please remove the cardboard from the package.” (Take it out)

4. Removing a Detail or Element (More Formal)

  • Definition: To exclude or omit something; to take something out of consideration. Often used in writing or academic contexts.
  • Examples:
    • "The author chose to remove several chapters from the manuscript." (Omit)
    • "Researchers removed the bias from the data." (Eliminated it)
    • "Let's remove any unnecessary details from this report." (Exclude them)

5. "Remove" as a Verb followed by "from" (Very Common Pattern)

  • This is a frequently used pattern: “remove something from something else”
    • "I need to remove the dirt from the floor."
    • "He removed the letter from my hand."

6. “Remove” as part of Phrasal Verbs (Significant!)

"Remove" is frequently used in phrasal verbs, which drastically change its meaning. Here are a few examples:

  • Remove from office: To force someone to resign from a position of power. (e.g., "The president was removed from office.")
  • Remove the obstacles: To get rid of things that are preventing progress. (e.g., “We need to remove the obstacles to success.”)
  • Remove someone’s shoes: To take someone's shoes away (usually when entering a place).

Tips for Using "Remove" Correctly:

  • Context is Key: Pay attention to the surrounding words and the situation to understand exactly what "remove" is referring to.
  • "Take Away" vs. "Remove": "Take away" is often a simpler alternative when you just mean to get rid of something.
  • Consider Alternatives: Depending on the nuance you want to convey, words like "eliminate," "discard," "delete," "detach," or "exclude" might be more appropriate.

Resources for More Examples & Practice:

To help me give you more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • What context are you thinking of where you want to use the word "remove"? (e.g., writing a story, answering a question, a specific situation?)

Synonyms for the word remove

Practice with vocabulary remove

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. Before painting the walls, you must ______ all the existing wallpaper to ensure a smooth finish.
  2. The management is actively working to ______ any barriers that prevent inter-departmental collaboration.
  3. Please ______ the outdated files from the server to free up storage space.
  4. Due to a scheduling conflict, we had to ______ the meeting from Tuesday to Wednesday.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (there may be multiple correct answers per question)

  1. Which of the following actions typically leads to a decrease in an unwanted substance or element? a) add b) introduce c) extract d) remove

  2. If you need to detach a component from a larger system, which verbs would be appropriate? a) secure b) attach c) dismantle d) remove

  3. To improve system security, it is crucial to ______ all known vulnerabilities. a) exploit b) introduce c) eliminate d) remove

  4. Before publishing the report, the editor asked to ______ all redundant phrases. a) insert b) expand c) condense d) omit

  5. Due to the outdated software, the IT department decided to ______ the old system with a new, more efficient version. a) upgrade b) replace c) maintain d) restore

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: The city council decided to get rid of the old, dilapidated building. Rewrite using "remove":

  2. Original: Before cleaning, you must take out the batteries from the remote control. Rewrite using "remove" or a related word form:

  3. Original: Please delete any personal identifiers from the data set before sharing it publicly. Rewrite (do not use "remove"):

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. remove
  2. remove
  3. delete
  4. reschedule

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. c) extract, d) remove
  2. c) dismantle, d) remove
  3. c) eliminate, d) remove
  4. d) omit
  5. b) replace

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The city council decided to remove the old, dilapidated building.
  2. Before cleaning, the removal of batteries from the remote control is necessary.
  3. Please redact any personal identifiers from the data set before sharing it publicly.

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