What Does “Expel sb” Mean?
“Expel sb” means to officially force someone to leave a place, organization, or school, usually because of bad behavior or breaking rules.
Introduction
The phrasal verb “expel sb” is often used in formal situations when someone is removed from a group or institution. The “sb” stands for “somebody,” meaning a person. “Expel sb meaning” involves forcing that person to leave because of misconduct, rule violations, or serious issues. This phrase is common in schools, workplaces, or clubs where rules must be followed. Understanding how to use “expel sb” helps you express situations involving official removal clearly and correctly.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: Expel sb (expel somebody)
- Type: Transitive
- Level: B2
- Short meaning: To officially force someone to leave a place or group
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Expel” is a transitive verb, so it always needs a direct object (someone who is expelled). It is not separable because “expel” is a single verb, not a two-word phrasal verb.
Patterns:
- Expel + somebody
- The school expelled the student.
How to Use Expel sb?
Use “expel sb” when talking about officially removing someone from a place or organization. It is often used in formal contexts like schools, clubs, or workplaces. The verb suggests a serious reason for removal, such as breaking rules or behaving badly. You can use it in past, present, or future tenses.
Examples
Imagine a student who cheated on an exam. The school might expel them to maintain fairness.
- The university expelled him for plagiarism.
- The club expelled several members who didn’t follow the rules.
- They will expel any employee caught stealing.
- After the fight, the school decided to expel the students involved.
- The company threatened to expel workers who arrived late repeatedly.
These are good examples of expel sb in a sentence.
Common Mistakes
People often confuse “expel” with “exclude” or “dismiss.” Here are some examples:
- Incorrect: The school expelled from the program. (Missing object)
- Correct: The school expelled the student from the program.
- Incorrect: They expelled the meeting early. (Wrong meaning)
- Correct: They ended the meeting early.
Remember, “expel” must have a person as the object and means to force them to leave officially.
Differences / Synonyms
“Expel” is similar to “exclude,” “dismiss,” and “throw out,” but there are differences:
- Exclude: To keep someone out, not always officially.
- Dismiss: Usually used for firing employees.
- Throw out: Informal, can mean physically removing someone.
“Expel” is more formal and often used in official contexts.
Common Collocations
Here are some common words used with “expel sb”:
- Expel a student: To remove a student from school
- Expel a member: To remove someone from a club or organization
- Expel an employee: To officially fire or remove a worker
- Expel a diplomat: To officially force a diplomat to leave a country
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a short conversation using “expel sb”:
Teacher: The school has decided to expel the student who cheated on the exam.
Parent: I understand. Cheating is serious and must be dealt with.
Practice
Fill in the blank with the correct form of “expel”:
- The club __________ several members for breaking the rules last week.
- If you break the law, the company may __________ you immediately.
- They decided to __________ the student after the investigation.
FAQ
- Q: Can you use “expel” for objects?
A: No, “expel” is used only for people.
- Q: Is “expel” formal or informal?
A: “Expel” is a formal verb, often used in official contexts.
- Q: What is the difference between “expel” and “exclude”?
“Expel” means to officially force someone to leave, while “exclude” means to keep someone out but not always officially.
- Q: Can “expel” be used in passive voice?
Yes, for example: “He was expelled from school.”
- Q: Is “expel” separable?
No, “expel” is not separable; the object always follows the verb.
